Prophet remarks row: 2 dead in Ranchi, Howrah simmers, over 250 arrests made in UP | Updates

In view of the violence in Kanpur on June 3 and protests in different parts of Uttar Pradesh last Friday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath told officials to take stern action and set an example so that no one dares to disturb peace in the state. Several parts of Uttar Pradesh witnessed protests while violence had erupted in Kanpur on June 3 over the controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad by two now-sacked BJP functionaries. 

Reviewing the law-and-order situation through video conferencing, Adityanath told SPs, SSPs, district magistrates and other top officials to be in constant communication with religious leaders and the civil society.

At least 60 people were arrested in connection with violence in West Bengal's Howrah district, police said on Saturday. They have been booked under IPC sections that deal with rioting, attempt to murder and causing damage to public properties, among others, a senior police officer said.

Widespread violence broke out in Howrah district on Friday over inflammatory comments by now-suspended BJP functionaries Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal. The internet has been suspended in the district, besides imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in certain areas.

Mumbai Police has summoned suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma to record a statement on June 25 in connection with her objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammad, an official said here on Saturday. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Sharma at Pydhonie police station in the city earlier this week after her comments about the Prophet during a TV debate triggered a huge controversy.

Moradabad SSP Hemant Kutiyal says, "Police got 14 days of remand of all the 25 accused in recent protest over the controversial religious remark."

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren ordered a high-level probe into the deadly violence that rocked Ranchi, a senior official said. A two-member committee, comprising senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal and Additional Director General (ADG) of Police Sanjay Latkar, was formed to investigate the violence that left two persons dead and at least 24 people injured, the official told PTI

The West Bengal government on Saturday suspended internet services in parts of Murshidabad district till June 14 to stop the spread of misinformation, following violence in Howrah, where such a clampdown is already in force.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi in his first reaction to the violence that erupted in several states after Friday prayers said the government should ensure that it should not happen. He added that in many places, the protests were peaceful. Read More 

Owaisi said, "At some places, protests were peaceful, while there was violence at many places... it shouldn't have happened. No one should indulge in violence.. nor should the police take law in their hands as two people died in yesterday's firing by the cops in Ranchi." 

Sukanta Majumdar said the situation in West Bengal was turning into that in Kashmir. "First, they stopped me at my home. I was put under house arrest. Later, they allowed me to leave my residence. Now, they have stopped me on Vidyasagar Setu and arrested me. The police are saying that as prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed, no one will be allowed to visit the area," he told reporters before being taken into custody.

(With inputs from PTI)

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday said he has directed police to take all precautions to maintain law and order in the state after protests over now-suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma's comments.

A high-level meeting has been held with police top brass in the state to take precautionary measures in the backdrop of violent incidents in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh on Friday protesting the alleged derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammad, Chief Minister Bommai told reporters here.

TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray on Saturday raised questions on the delay in the arrest of Nupur Sharma.  "Why is she (Nupur Sharma) still not arrested? BJP wants to keep this issue alive to create differences. We condemn this," said Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, TMC MP on Howrah protest.

At least 70 people have been arrested in Bengal in connection to violence. "Anyone trying to create a disturbance, will not be spared. Governor Dhankhar and BJP leaders are making provocative statements on the issue," says Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, TMC MP on Howrah protest.

BJP leader Agnimitra Pual questioned why Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar was kept under house arrest in the morning. Paul said:  "Law & order situation has completely fallen. What are you (CM) doing? Army and paramilitary forces should be deployed here."

YouTuber Faisal Wani had uploaded an incriminating video on YouTube, which was against public tranquillity and has caused fear and alarm to the public in general. An FIR has been registered under Section 505 and 506 IPC at Safa Kadal Police Station

Earlier on Saturday, West Bengal's BJP president Sukanta Majumdar was stopped from visiting violence-affected areas in Howrah district citing the current law and order situation. Sources later confirmed that he was arrested. 

(With inputs from PTI)

Advising people to avoid “irresponsible comments” on social media, a senior government official on Saturday said strict action as per law will be taken against the people who stoke communal tension in Jammu region’s Chenab valley leading to the imposition of curfew and restrictions to maintain peace.

Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar also said efforts are on to restore complete peace in the region with the cooperation of the public. Kumar, along with Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, Mukesh Singh, visited the curfew-bound areas of Doda and Kishtwar for the second day in running to take stock of the situation.

IFSO Unit of Delhi Police Special Cell wrote a letter to Twitter and Facebook on inflammatory remarks. Police have asked for social media details of all the 32 people named in the FIR. So far no summons or notice has been served on any of the accused.

- Reports Abhay Parashar 

40 accused have been arrested in the Ghanta Ghar Saharanpur violence case. Action will be taken against all these accused under NSA : SSP Saharanpur Akash Tomar

- Kumar Sonu (India TV)

West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar was on Saturday stopped by the police from visiting violence-affected areas in Howrah district citing the current law and order situation.

An offence has been registered against over 100 demonstrators who staged an agitation in Maharashtra's Aurangabad demanding action against suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and her former party colleague Naveen Jindal over their alleged objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammed. An offence has been registered under section 149 (unlawful assembly) and other relevant provisions of the IPC and Motor Vehicles Act against the protestors, an official from Begumpura police station said. A protest was staged by members of the Muslim community near the Divisional Commissioner's office in the Delhi gate area of Aurangabad on Friday.

- Reports T Raghavan (India TV)

Protesters in Moradabad shouted slogans seeking action against the former BJP spokespersons. The situation is under control now. Action will be taken against the culprits under the Gangster Act and action will be taken to confiscate their property. The damage caused to public and private properties will also be recovered through judicial process, said Prashant Kumar, ADG (Law and Order), Lucknow. "In the incident that happened yesterday, some persons tried to disturb peace in some districts, which have been identified," he added. 

The manner in which crowd took to the streets after Friday namaz, it definitely seems that some people had planned...PFI involvement hasn't come to fore yet but can't be ruled out. Checking involvement of extremist organisations: SSP Saharanpur 

Fresh clashes were reported between police and protesters in West Bengal's Howrah district, which on Friday witnessed violent protests against controversial remarks of suspended BJP spokespersons, even as prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPc remained imposed and internet services suspended. 

Prophet remarks row: Delhi Police Saturday registered a case in connection with Friday's protest outside Jama Masjid to demand the arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad. The case was registered under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code on Friday against the protesters and further investigation is underway. Read more 

AIMIM had no role in Moradabad violence that broke out after Friday namaz yesterday, according to sources. However, officials believe there might be some party workers involved in the protest but stressed the party was not involved in orchestrating the violence. 

- Reports Bhaskar Mishra 

FIR filed against 150 to 200 people in Aurangabad after agitation outside Divisional Commissioner's office after Friday prayers in Aurangabad. FIR registered under various sections. The people who came in the crowd are being identified from CCTV footage and videos.

- Reports Rajeev Singh 

25 persons have been arrested so far in Moradabad violence after Friday Namaz

- Reports Bhaskar Mishra 

Prayagraj violence:  Mastermind Javed Ahmed detained, there could be more masterminds...The anti social-elements used minor kids to hurl stones at police & administration. Case registered under 29 crucial sections. Action to be taken under Gangster Act & NSA.

- Reports Pawan Nara

Internet services were suspended in West Bengal's Howrah district on Friday evening amid violent protests over controversial comments against Prophet Mohammad by two suspended BJP spokespersons. The internet will remain suspended till 6 am on Monday, said an order issued by the Home and Hill Affairs Department. Voice calls and SMS services will remain active. 

- Reports Sujeet 

48 - Saharanpur 
68  - Prayagraj 
50 - Hathras 
25 - Moradabad 
08 - Ferozabad 
28 - Ambedkarnagar 

Total - 227

- Reports Ruchi Kumar 

Delhi Police detained Sandeep Ahuja, president of Akhand Bharat Morcha, who had planned a foot march in favour of Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal in Delhi. According to Sandeep's wife, the police took Sandeep into custody at 7 pm yesterday. Sandeep Ahuja's wife Rajshree Ahuja says that the police have told them that Sandeep Ahuja will be released after the time of the program is over. Ahuja has kept in Preet Vihar police station. Delhi Police is refraining from speaking anything on this.

- Reports Kumar Sonu (India TV) 

After yesterday's violence in Saharanpur, Saharanpur Police arrested 48 people. Police have identified 200 people, raids are being conducted to arrest them. Saharanpur Police also recovered about one thousand CCTV footage and mobile videos of violence. The accused are being identified on the basis of these CCTV and mobile videos.

- Reports Kumar Sonu (India TV) 

Case registered against unidentified people u/s 188 IPC in view of yesterday's protest at Jama Masjid over inflammatory remarks by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma & expelled leader Naveen Jindal. Protesters being identified. 

- Reports Abhay Parashar (India TV)