NewKerala.com

Key Points

Authorities in Bareilly launched a bulldozer drive targeting properties connected to Maulana Tauqeer and his associates. The municipal commissioner insisted this was routine encroachment removal unrelated to last week's violence. Meanwhile, a Samajwadi Party delegation including several MPs was prevented from visiting the city by heavy police deployment. SP leaders condemned the administration's actions as undemocratic and accused them of targeting opposition politicians.

Key Points: Bulldozer Action in Bareilly After Violence SP MPs Stopped

  • Bulldozers targeted Raza Palace linked to Maulana Tauqeer's aide Dr Nafees
  • Officials claimed routine removal of permanent encroachments not violence-related
  • SP delegation including MPs Iqra Hasan and Mohibbullah Nadvi stopped by police
  • MP Neeraj Maurya placed under house arrest calling action undemocratic
3 min read

Bulldozer action in Bareilly after last week's violence, SP MPs stopped from visiting city

Bareilly authorities demolish properties linked to Maulana Tauqeer amid heavy security while SP MPs prevented from visiting violence-affected areas.

"The administration's action is unlawful -- this is the murder of democracy. - Neeraj Maurya, SP MP"

Bareilly, Oct 4

Authorities in Bareilly on Saturday launched a bulldozer drive against alleged illegal properties linked to Maulana Tauqeer, accused of masterminding last Friday’s violence in the city, and his close aides.

The Bareilly Municipal Corporation, along with the Bareilly Development Authority, initiated the demolition drive amid heavy police deployment.

Bulldozers rolled into Raza Palace, reportedly associated with Dr Nafees, a close confidant of Maulana Tauqeer, triggering panic in the area.

Officials said the action was directed at removing “permanent encroachments.”

A signboard at Raza Palace identified the property as the residence of Shoyeb Beg, son of the late Athar Hussain Beg, a former PCS officer. The corporation also undertook a separate drive in the tourist area, demolishing shops built over drains.

Municipal Commissioner Sanjeev Kumar Maurya, however, maintained that the drive was routine. “The permanent encroachments are being removed. This is a normal campaign carried out at regular intervals. It is not linked to last Friday’s violence,” he told IANS.

To prevent unrest, senior officials, accompanied by a large police contingent, held a flag march in the affected areas, appealing to locals to maintain peace.

Earlier in the day, a delegation of SP leaders, including MPs Iqra Hasan and Mohibbullah Nadvi, had planned to visit Bareilly on Saturday to meet those affected by the violence.

The team left from the residence of Rajya Sabha MP Harendra Singh Malik but was stopped on the way by a heavy police deployment.

The Samajwadi Party accused the administration of targeting its leaders.

Neeraj Maurya, SP MP from Amla, was placed under house arrest along with other local leaders.

Speaking to IANS, Maurya said, “We have not been told why we are being confined. I wanted to meet people and raise their grievances with the authorities so that no innocent person is harassed. The administration’s action is unlawful -- this is the murder of democracy.”

The political row follows tensions in Bareilly over the controversial 'I Love Muhammad' slogan, which sparked clashes last week.

Ziaur Rahman Barq, who was also part of the delegation, strongly criticised the police for blocking their visit, calling it undemocratic and unjustified.

“When the police administration and the government in Bareilly are saying that everything there is normal and there is no problem, then what sense does preventing us from going there make? We strongly oppose this and want to go there to meet the victim families and prepare an accurate report that can help them obtain justice,” Barq said.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why stop opposition leaders from visiting? If everything is normal as claimed, what's the fear? This raises serious questions about transparency. Democracy means allowing different voices to be heard.
A
Aditya G
The timing is too coincidental. Right after violence, suddenly there's a "routine" demolition drive? Either be honest about the connection or wait for proper investigations. This selective enforcement worries me.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has lived in Bareilly, illegal constructions have been a major problem for years. Drains blocked by shops cause flooding every monsoon. Hope this brings some permanent relief to residents. 🙏
M
Michael C
The administration should ensure that only actual illegal properties are targeted and innocent people don't suffer. Due process must be followed, not just bulldozer justice.
K
Kavya N
Political parties always make everything about themselves. The real issue is maintaining law and order. If properties are illegal, they should go regardless of who owns them. Let's focus on development, not politics.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50