FIR after AIMIM UP chief says ‘encounters will be answered’

Meerut: A case has been registered against AIMIM state president Shaukat Ali for allegedly saying that he would ensure retaliatory encounter if any Muslim were killed in police encounter in Uttar Pradesh if he had just 11 MLAs in the state assembly.Additional SP Antariksh Jain confirmed that an FIR was lodged against Ali and five others for allegedly making provocative remarks during an Eid event in Meerut on Monday. Three accused, including party's western UP president Mehtab Chauhan, Meerut district president Imran Ansari and district secretary Razi Siddiqui, have been arrested so far, SP Jain said.A video of Ali's speech has been widely circulated on social media. In the video, Ali is purportedly heard saying: "You elected 111 MLAs for Samajwadi Party, and when these MLAs are asked why Muslims are facing atrocities by the state, they say they can't do anything, as it's not their govt. Give me just 11 MLAs, and I promise that if a Muslim is killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh, those responsible will also face encounter."The accused have been booked under relevant sections of BNS, including sections 196 (promoting enmity between groups), 353(3) (public mischief), and 3(5) (acts committed by multiple persons with common intent), said police.