A week after clashes erupted in Bareilly over the “I Love Muhammad” posters, authorities have suspended internet services in the district for another 48 hours, citing intelligence inputs of possible unrest after Friday prayers. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, general secretary of the All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-Islam, also appealed to people to maintain peace. Internet services have been shut down since 3 pm Thursday and will be restored post 3 pm on Saturday. The order was issued by Home Secretary Gaurav Dayal from Lucknow. Officials said inputs suggested that “unruly elements” may attempt to trigger fresh protests and could even “use women and children to disrupt the atmosphere”. Earlier, the internet was suspended for 60 hours following the September 26 violence. In the run-up to Friday prayers today, Maulana Razvi said, “After offering namaz, people should go straight home, or to their work if they are traders, and not become part of any crowd at any time, no matter who calls them.” He has urged mosque imams to “appeal for peace and harmony in their sermons” and “explain to the youth not to fall under anyone’s provocation, call or incitement”. He added: “Some mosque imams become part of politics. But now they will have to think. We must end our relationships with such political figures. I urge the imams to guide their congregations to maintain peace in light of the situation in Bareilly.” Meanwhile, police said their investigation has confirmed that Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) president Maulana Tauqeer Raza was the “main conspirator” behind the September 26 clashes. Police said that announcements were made across Bareilly mosques that day, directing people to gather for Friday prayers at 1 pm at Naumahal masjid. Tension flared after police used force to disperse a crowd that allegedly pelted stones and raised provocative slogans in the Kotwali and Baradari areas. According to police, the unrest had begun soon after Friday prayers, when groups of people carrying “I Love Muhammad” placards took out a procession from a local mosque. When police stopped them and asked the crowd to disperse, an argument broke out. The situation escalated when some members allegedly began pelting stones, damaging vehicles and forcing residents nearby to run for cover. Officers said the crowd also raised provocative slogans, sparking tension across parts of the city. Tauqeer, who had called people to protest, was arrested on September 27 and sent to jail. Over six days, 10 FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence. Police said 200 people have been named among 2,500 accused, with 82 sent to jail so far - of which at least three people were arrested in shootouts, including Tauqeer’s close aides. Bareilly Additional SP Manush Pareek said that the people arrested fall into two categories — “those involved in planning the conspiracy and those who attacked the police after Friday prayers”.
