‘I Love Muhammad’ row: 4 days after Bareilly clash, families clueless about kin ‘picked up by cops’

BAREILLY: In the aftermath of Friday's violent protest over ‘I Love Muhammad' posters, many families -- largely belonging to impoverished backgrounds -- have alleged that they have no information on the whereabouts of their kin even after four days. Some of the distressed families have claimed their kin "have been deliberately kept in police stations as punishment".

Notably, police have so far registered about 10 FIRs, naming over 2,000 people, arresting at least 56, including local cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, and "with no specific data on detention". Two Youtubers have also been arrested, police said.


Families of those detained or the missing could be seen queuing up at local police stations on Monday. "My son was detained by Bareilly police. He was having food when the clash took place. Since then, I have been constantly coming to this police station with the hope that my son will be released," Mohd Sarfaraz, an e-rickshaw puller, told TOI.

Echoing Sarfaraz, Aasu (only first name available) said, "My 16-year-old cousin was returning from a shop when he was detained. Since then, he has been kept in police custody. Cops don't have the right to keep anyone in a thana for more than 24 hours. They should produce them before a magistrate. If they had produced my cousin before the magistrate, I would've secured bail for him. They're not sending him to jail, and merely saying that we'll let him go."

A distraught mother said, "My husband is alcoholic. My 17-year-old son who is in police custody is my only hope. He works as a tailor. I've not seen my son since the incident."

Since last Friday, locals have started criticising Raza for his "controversial remarks" which many say have sparked the unrest. "Police have detained around 20 people from my colony. Announcements were made from mosques to not pay heed to Raza's call. Most of us have obeyed. I condemn Raza's action as he merely tries to disrupt peace in public for his own political benefit," said Tahir Khan, a resident.

A police officer, privy to the matter, pointed out that investigations are still on and they are looking into all the aspects of the unrest.