Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind delegation stopped from visiting violence-hit Bahraich, detained at Lucknow airport : Valley Vision

A Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind delegation led by General Secretary Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi was stopped by police on their way to the communal violence-hit area of Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh.

They were detained by police authorities upon their arrival at Lucknow Airport this evening.

The Muslim body stated that they were on their way to assist Bahraich riot victims.

“Jamiat calls for their immediate release! This humanitarian mission must go on. Why block peace efforts?” the Muslim body posted on X.

“It should be noted that the delegation was dispatched from Delhi under the directives of Jamiat President Maulana Mahmood Asa’d Madani, with the mission to meet with the affected individuals in Bahraich, assess their situation, and provide all possible assistance. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has always worked for the promotion of peace, harmony, and social cohesion in the country, and considers it its duty to support the oppressed, regardless of their religion or community,” said Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, Secretary of JUH.

The Muslim body expressed deep concern over this action by the police authorities and questioned the reason behind obstructing representatives who were going to assist those in need.

“Jamiat demands that the delegation be released immediately and allowed to proceed with their humanitarian mission. The organization reaffirms that it will continue to carry out its social and humanitarian duties, and actions like these cannot deter its commitment to justice and solidarity,” Farooqui said.

On Saturday, Samajwadi Party leader Mata Prasad Pandey was also stopped from coming to Bahraich through an advance notice by the collector.

The Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly said he was told not to go to Bahraich as the situation may get worse there.

In Bahraich, violence broke out at Maharajganj over loud music being played outside a mosque during a Durga Puja immersion procession. Ram Gopal Mishra, 22, part of the passing group, died of a gunshot wound in the ensuing violence. Following the death of the Hindu youth, angry mobs torched several houses, shops, showrooms, hospitals, and vehicles belonging to Muslims.

At least 11 FIRs had been registered in connection with Mishra’s killing till Friday and around 1,000 people were booked.

Several opposition leaders had accused the Uttar Pradesh Police of staging a fake encounter after two Bahraich violence accused sustained bullet injuries from police firing in an alleged attempt to flee from custody.

Sarfaraz and Mohammad Talib, arrested in the violence, were shot in the leg by the police while allegedly attempting to flee to Nepal, according to Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar.

Five people have been arrested including the two injured. Sarfaraz’s father Abdul Hameed, Fahim, and Abdul Afzal are the three other accused in custody.

“When the police were taking the five arrested accused for weapons recovery near the India-Nepal border, Sarfaraz and Talib tried to escape. Shots were fired as they fled, resulting in their injuries. Abdul Hameed, Fahim, and Abdul Afzal were also arrested. A total of five accused are now in custody, and the situation is under control,” DGP Kumar explained.

According to ANI, UP Congress President Ajay Rai stated that the UP government has been conducting fake encounters for a long time. They are merely trying to “cover up their failures”. Responding to the incident, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi criticized UP Police and cited the “Thok Denge” policy of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

“It is not difficult to know the truth about the “encounter” of the accused of Bahraich violence by the police. Everyone knows about Yogi’s “Thok Denge” policy. If the police had so much evidence, then efforts would have been made to get the accused punished legally,” Owaisi posted on X.

Meanwhile, Shopkeepers in Bahraich scrambled to salvage their goods on Saturday, apprehending a demolition drive by the authorities, PTI news agency reported.

According to a local lawmaker, the Public Works Department has served demolition notices to 23 establishments – 20 of them belonging to Muslims.