Bareilly administration bulldozes properties linked to associates of Muslim cleric after clashes

The administration in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly has bulldozed several properties belonging to associates of Muslim cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, chief of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, days after clashes linked to the “I love Muhammad” posters row, reported The Times of India.

The authorities claimed that the properties were illegal.

On September 26, violence had broken out in Bareilly when a crowd carrying “I love Muhammad” posters clashed with police outside a mosque in the Kotwali area.

The unrest reportedly followed the last-minute cancellation of a protest called by Raza in support of the campaign. He said authorities had denied him permission for the demonstration.

Police alleged that Raza delivered speeches that provoked the crowd. He was arrested on September 27 and sent to 14-day judicial custody.

On Saturday morning, a demolition drive was carried out under the supervision of District Magistrate Avinash Singh, reported PTI.

Among the buildings demolished was Raja Palace, a marriage hall in the Jakhira area owned by Nafees Ahmed, one of the persons arrested in the clashes.

Bareilly Development Authority Vice-Chairman Manikandan A said that the building was constructed in violation of approved norms, PTI reported.

“The action has been taken strictly according to legal procedure,” the news agency quoted him as saying. “It is not targeted at any individual.”

A nameplate at the site identified...

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