Prayagraj violence: Bulldozer returns to Master Mind's house, PFI flags found

New Delhi, Dt

Uttar Pradesh police have arrested a total of 209 accused in the violence that erupted in Prayagraj, Hathras, Firozabad and Saharanpur after Friday prayers till Sunday morning. Along with this, the PDAA bulldozed on Sunday in the presence of a heavy police force at the house of Javed Pump, the mastermind of Prayagraj violence, and the illegal part was smashed. In Ranchi, on the other hand, police custody was increased in sensitive areas and six FIRs have been registered against 'thousands' of people. In Delhi, two people have been arrested for protesting outside the Jama Masjid.

The situation remained normal in the violence-hit and stone-throwing districts on Sunday following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directive to take stern action against the perpetrators of violence in Uttar Pradesh. ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar said 16 FIRs have been registered so far in the violence cases and a total of 208 rioters were arrested along with 30 others on Sunday, including Imam Ali Ahmed of Atala Badi Masjid. Here, Ahmed called the police infidels and incited the youth. Then the stoning and arson began. Police are pursuing further arrests based on CCTV footage.

Meanwhile, in the presence of heavy police force, the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) bulldozed the house of Javed Pump, the mastermind of Prayagraj violence. A search of his house turned up PFI flags and provocative literature. Police are now investigating. Uttar Pradesh police officials said that a bulldozer operation was carried out on the house of Javed Pump and the police were not allowed to take any.

The PDA said the action against Javed Pump was part of an anti-encroachment drive. Javed Pump was sent a reasoned notice on May 10 on the issue of his illegal home and was asked to appear on May 9. But he did not respond and was ordered to demolish the building on June 10.

Meanwhile, the situation in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, was tense on Sunday. However, police have beefed up security in sensitive areas and registered eight FIRs against thousands of unidentified persons for their involvement in Friday's violence. But no arrests have been made yet. However, about three hours after the violence, internet access was restored in Ranchi. Currently, more than 2,500 police personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas of the district.

Meanwhile, two people have been arrested for staging demonstrations outside Delhi's Jama Masjid without any permission and for disturbing social harmony, police said on Sunday. Police checked CCTV and mobile footage to identify the culprits of the protests. Police said the demonstrators were dispersed in 3-5 minutes outside the Jama Masjid.