At Yogi’s behest, Bulldozers out in UP cities, after violence over Prophet remark row
Notably the building was in the Swaroopnagar locality of Kanpur, 3 km away from where the violence happened.
Saharanpur: Municipal teams are out with bulldozers under a heavy police presence, following violence over recent remarks by expelled BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Videos of municipal teams demolishing parts of homes of two of the accused arrested ‘for disturbing the peace and social harmony’ were shared by police in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur. According to the district’s police chief 64 people have been arrested in Saharanpur.
Bulldozers razing gates and outer walls of residences of accused Muzammil and Abdul Waqir could be seen in the visuals shared by the police. This is done by the municipal teams escorted by the police claiming that they were illegal constructions.
Similarly, the police today demolished properties belonging to a man in Kanpur. They accuse him of having links with a local leader Zafar Hayat Hashmi. They say he is the main accused in the violence. Violent clashes and stone-pelting took place on June 3 over the same issue in Kanpur.
A newly-constructed building owned by one Mohammad Ishtiyaq, who is said to be a close relative of Zafar Hayat Hashmi was demolished by the Kanpur Development Authority (KDA). NDTV reported.
Notably the building was in the Swaroopnagar locality of Kanpur, 3 km away from where the violence happened.
UP Police’s additional director general (law and order) Prashant Kumar said that the police will take strict action against all the people or groups who have “dared to disturb peace and harmony”. They will be charged under the Gangster Act, their properties will be seized and they will be made to pay for damages caused to private and public property so that such incidents are not repeated.
Officials have been given liberty and clear instructions to take stringent action against “anti-social elements” stated Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s office.
