Bareilly Simmers in Fear: New Detentions and Police Shootout Heighten Anxiety as Residents Bolt Doors and Plead for Mercy
In the shadow of recent unrest, Bareilly’s streets wear a cloak of apprehension. Shoppers have vanished from local bazaars, several residences stand deserted, and relatives of the detained live in dread—one family even stated they have avoided visiting those in custody. Urgent pleas echo for authorities to halt the razing of homes, as the city grapples with the fallout from violent demonstrations.
. A thick tension hung over the violence-torn neighborhoods, seeping into narrow alleys and shuttered storefronts. In the Old City, banners and placards proclaiming “I Love Muhammad” still fluttered from rooftops or adhered to doorways and compound walls. Security forces maintained a robust presence around Noumahla Masjid and Ala Hazrat Dargah.
Authorities announced the apprehension of nine additional affiliates of Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) leader Maulana Tauqeer Khan, two of whom suffered leg wounds during a fresh police operation described as a shootout. These detentions, linked to the September 26 disturbances, elevated the overall count of individuals in custody to 82.
Khan, alleged to have orchestrated the disorder that flared following Friday congregational prayers, was taken into custody that Saturday. The previous Tuesday saw IMC’s local chapter head, Tazim, captured after a similar clash where he too was struck in the leg. Bareilly Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya named the pair from Wednesday’s action as Mohammed Idris, known as Bora, aged 50, and Iqbal, alias Bundan Khan, 48, both hailing from Shahjahanpur.
Critics from the opposition assailed the Yogi Adityanath administration’s approach, accusing it of shunning reconciliation. Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai remarked, “All they want is to hype the issue and create propaganda around it. You can see this in Sambhal and now here in Bareilly. The Yogi government wants to divert attention from Rahul Gandhi’s allegation of vote theft.”
Saharanpur Congress MP Imran Masood asserted he faced confinement at home prior to a planned trip to Bareilly. Local law enforcement refuted this, explaining that officers were stationed near his residence and that of Samajwadi Party MLC Shahnawaz Khan based on security assessments. Saharanpur City SP Vyom Bindal clarified, “We have not put him under house arrest but have just deployed our forces.”
Masood recounted, “Shahnawaz and I were to travel by train to Bareilly and planned to return within two hours. Yet, we were stopped with the excuse that the situation was not good. We are peacemakers; we can calm the situation, not inflame it.” He further condemned Khan, stating, “I strongly oppose political announcements being made from mosque loudspeakers. A mosque is a place of worship, not a platform to advance political agendas.”
SP Arya emphasized that the operations targeted instigators of disorder and would persist. “An SIT is carrying out the investigation. We have also found evidence that some outsiders were involved in the incident,” he noted. The Wednesday detainees reportedly confessed during interrogation to participating in the rally, summoned by Tauqeer’s earlier-arrested aide, Nadeem Khan.
Investigators alleged that Idris and Iqbal had seized an anti-riot weapon from an officer and discharged it toward personnel on September 26. From their possession, officers retrieved the pilfered firearm, two improvised handguns, three unused rounds, two expended shells, a motorcycle, and several cellphones.
Arya detailed the episode: “On Wednesday, the SOG (Special Operations Group) and CB Ganj police team cordoned off the canal area in Fatehganj Pashchimi when the two accused opened fire in an attempt to escape. In retaliatory firing, both sustained bullet injuries to their legs before being overpowered.” He added that the men were receiving medical care in a facility.
Official dossiers reveal Idris with more than 20 prior charges involving burglary, banditry, and Gangster Act infractions. Iqbal carries 17 counts, encompassing holdups and breaches of the Arms Act.
Among the remaining seven nabbed were Dr. Nafees Khan, 65, alongside his son Farhan Khan, 32; Shan, 32; Mohammad Nadeem, 45; Rizwan, 24; Tajim, 26; and Amaan Hussain.