In Bareilly, the Uttar Pradesh Police has declared a cash reward of Rs 15,000 for any information that leads to the capture of seven associates of Ittehade Millat Council (IMC) leader Tauqeer Raza, who are currently evading arrest in relation to the violence that occurred last month over ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters. These individuals were named in the FIRs filed following the disturbances on September 26, as stated by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anurag Arya on Sunday. The wanted individuals include IMC leaders such as youth district president Sajid Saklani, city youth president Altamas Raja, Afzal Beg, Nayab alias Nimma, Bablu Khan, Nadeem, and Adnan Saklani.
Police reports indicate that Sajid and Altamas are sought in cases registered at the Baradari police station, while Afzal Beg is wanted in cases at both the Kila and Baradari stations. Nayab alias Nimma and Bablu Khan are noted as history-sheeters at Baradari, with Nadeem facing additional charges of gang rape. Furthermore, police allege that Adnan Saklani incited young men to partake in the violence. SSP Arya mentioned that special teams have been established to locate the fugitives, emphasizing that no one involved in the violence will escape justice and that arrests will occur soon.
The unrest began on September 9, when Kanpur police initiated a case against 24 individuals for purportedly displaying boards that read ‘I Love Muhammad’ during a religious procession on September 4. Tensions escalated in Bareilly on September 26 when clashes erupted between locals and police in the city center following Friday prayers, which were affected by the cancellation of a planned protest concerning the posters.