Bulldozers Roll in Bareilly: Nafees Ahmed's 'Raja Palace' Demolished; Minister Warns 'Law Breakers Will Not be Spared'

In a significant development following the recent violence in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly, the district administration today carried out a demolition drive against illegal constructions in several parts of

the city. A marriage hall owned by one of the accused in the violence case was also demolished along with other "illegal" structures in the city.The action comes a week after September 26 violence in the heart of Bareilly following Friday prayers after the cancellation of a protest that was called over "I Love Muhammad" posters. Several people were injured in the clashes.The demolition drive has come under criticism from the opposition, who alleged that prior notice was not given by the government. "Action can’t be taken without a 15-day prior notice. Officers cannot act as judges on their own," said Samajwadi Party leader IP Singh.The BJP, however, praised the Yogi Adityanath government for taking strict "action against criminals" "Such actions need to be taken against people who engage in unlawful activities," said MP Arya, BJP MLA in the UP Assembly. Dr Nafees, who owns a marriage hall, was among those arrested in connection with the violence. "Bulldozer action is being taken on the Raza Palace by the BDA," Joint Secretary of the Bareilly Development Authority, Deepak Kumar, told ANI.

Police have lodged 10 FIRs and booked hundreds of people, mostly unidentified, in connection with the violence. More than 70 people, including cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, his aides and some relatives, have so far been arrested.'Only Those Who Broke the Law Were Sent to Jail': MinisterUP minister JPS Rathore on Saturday said police have thwarted any attempt to incite violence in Bareilly. He categorically stated that any opposition MPs and leaders who are talking about going to Bareilly are doing so solely "as part of a conspiracy to vitiate the atmosphere"."For whom are they going to Bareilly? For those who broke the law, threw stones, and attacked the police?" he asked.

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The minister added that no innocent people were harmed in police action, only those who broke the law were sent to jail."Law breakers will not be spared, and no one will be allowed to disturb the peace," he said, and added that the people of Bareilly are living peacefully in their homes.The government will ensure that no external forces can disrupt that atmosphere, Rathore said."Currently, the situation in Bareilly is completely normal. Markets are open, traffic is normal, and the police are vigilantly monitoring. The administration says that the situation will return to complete calm in the coming days," he said in the statement.Rathore said that attempts were made by some individuals, especially Tauqeer Raza and his supporters, to incite violence.He said that the administration had been in constant dialogue with them, but around 11 pm, a letter circulated stating that there would be no protest or procession. Then, at 1.30 am, it was claimed that the letter was fake, he said in the statement.The government will not allow anyone to disturb the peace and tranquillity of Bareilly, the minister said. Now there was complete peace in Bareilly, he said.With inputs from PTI