Prophet remarks row: Trains vandalised in Bengal, shops looted

The Kanpur administration on Sunday started sealing the properties of those allegedly involved in the June 3 violence sparked by the controversial comments of two now-sacked BJP functionaries against Prophet Mohammad. Kanpur police have sealed three properties in various areas, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and order) Anand Prakash Tiwari.

"Some arrests have been made. The exact number of arrests will be disclosed later. Whether outsiders were involved in this or not, is being investigated"

Gatherings without permission not allowed. Directions for social media issued. Group admins to inform the administration about rumour-mongers. Usage of loudspeakers not allowed except at religious spaces:DM, Ghaziabad

Involvement of two builders Salim & HS Malik also under probe. Authority sealed 3 buildings related to them in Chaman Ganj & Becon Ganj:Kanpur Police

(Reported by Sonu)

Police staged a flag march in East Singhbhum and imposed prohibitory orders in adjoining Seraikela-Kharswan as a precautionary measure to prevent any communal flare-up in these two districts of Jharkhand, officials said. The flag march was staged in sensitive pockets of Jamshedpur such as Mango, Azadnagar and Olidih police station areas to inculcate confidence among the people, they said.

The administration is prepared to meet any eventuality and police are on alert, Deputy Commissioner of East Singhbhum Vijaya Jadav said. 

(With inputs from PTI)

A group of people attacked and damaged a local train at Bethuadahari railway station in West Bengal's Nadia district on Sunday evening, a police officer said. It was not immediately known whether there was any casualty.

The group was protesting against controversial remarks of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Prophet Mohammad. The officer said a large number of protestors put up a road blockade and when they were chased by the police, some of them entered the station and threw stones at the train which was on a platform. Train services on the Lalgola line have been affected due to the attack, he said.

Two accused, Mohd Faheem Khan and Nisar Ahmad, were arrested by police for holding posters, raising slogans and hooting against now-suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal, during an unlawful assembly at Jama Masjid on June 10.

The accused, Faheem, is a vendor and has no previous criminal involvement while Nisar Ahmad is an electrician, and he, too, does not have any previous cases against him. 

(With inputs from Abhay Parashar)

Tension prevailed in Jharkhand capital Ranchi on Sunday, as police strengthened security in sensitive areas and registered 25 FIRs against "thousands" of people in the aftermath of violent protests over controversial comments on Prophet Mohammad.

Internet services, however, were restored in the district after nearly 33 hours, Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Chhavi Ranjan said.
Around 3,500 security personnel are on guard at sensitive areas in Ranchi, where two people were killed and more than two dozen people critically injured, as protests and clashes rocked the city after the Friday prayers.

Family members of the two persons, who succumbed to gunshot wounds during Friday's protests here against controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad, have claimed they were not a part of the procession that was taken out to condemn the comments.

Two persons identified as Mohammad Mudassir Alam, who was also known as Kaifi, and Mohammad Sahil, died while over two dozen people were injured in protests and subsequent clashes that rocked the state capital on Friday over the remarks made by two suspended BJP functionaries against Prophet Mohammad, officials said.

A lawyer has filed a complaint before a court in Jammu and Kashmir, seeking punitive action against suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and others for recent "blasphemous" remarks against Prophet Muhammad.

A total of 306 people have been arrested so far in connection with protests on June 10. Thirteen cops, who were injured in the incident, are also receiving treatment. "Social media is being monitored as well," said Prashant Kumar, ADG, Law and Order, Uttar Pradesh Police.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, in a tweet, mentioned that 30 workers, including AIMIM Delhi President Kaleemul Hafeez, were
 arrested by Delhi Police on Thursday. "His crime is that he was demanding the arrest of Nupur Sharma and Jindal. Delhi Police does not have the guts to arrest Sharma and Jindal," tweeted Owaisi 

West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari was stopped by police in the Radhamani area when he was on the way to Kolaghat Adhikari said, "Let me go to Kolkata...I've two programs to attend." 

Image shows security personnel and locals gather at the site as a bulldozer is being used to demolish the residence of Javed Ahmed, a local leader who was allegedly the key conspirator of violent protests against now-suspended BJP leader's remarks on Prophet Muhammad, in Prayagraj, Sunday, June 12, 2022. 

"Situation is easing down, internet restored. Facilities that were stopped have begun. 25 FIRs have yet been registered regarding violence that happened. 22 have been identified by name & several others have been booked as unknowns," says Ranchi SSP SK Jha

In the wake of the ongoing protest following controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma, Uttar Pradesh Minister of Minority Affairs Danish Azad on Sunday said that the party's action clarified that respecting all religions is its priority and also urged people to maintain law and order.

Speaking to ANI, Danish Azad said, "Our party and our government believe in unity and respect of all religions. They are going to work together with all parties. We believe in 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas'. Whatever was said, our party took a stand and clarified that respecting all religions is our priority. We all should also cooperate in maintaining law and order."

Bulldozers have begun razing the home of Prayagraj violence mastermind Javed Ahmed 

Nupur Sharma is likely to appear before Bhiwandi police tomorrow, in connection with her statement against Prophet Muhammad

Reports: Atul Singh 

"Situation in Ranchi worsened the day before yesterday due to the protests (over controversial religious remarks), there was a loss of lives. So we came to meet the DIG, kin of the deceased & the injured," said Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, General Secretary, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.

"We have met the DIG to appeal for peace and will meet the DCP. We are also trying to meet the DGP, Governor & the CM. An SIT has been formed to probe the incident, and the report will come within a week, as per DIG," said Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi.

"Govt should help with the medical treatment of the injured & give financial compensation to the kin of the deceased. We have appealed to the DIG to stop illegitimate arrests... Police were involved in hitting the public," he further said. 

"71 have been arrested as of yet. We've found CCTV footage via which we are identifying them. We're taking action only after we find solid proof so we do not have to let them go," says SP City, Rajesh Kumar on Saharanpur protests after Friday prayers.

"2 involved in this had been identified & it was found they had illegal constructions. Bulldozers were brought in & their houses were rowed down. Muzammil (18) was seen invoking & provocating groups & people to join protests. He studies in a madarsa," said SP City.

Anish Gupta DIG Ranchi, Jharkhand says SIT is probing CCTV footage from the area of the incident.

"We're trying to identify all those involved in the incident. The decision to lift Sec 144 CrPC will be taken by looking at the situation. Guilty will not be spared," he says.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur directs all states to ensure strict action and investigation in connection with the violence incidents

Saharanpur violence: One person namely Salman arrested for allegedly directing a printing press to print posters related to the violence. In a viral video, Salman could be seen putting up related posters 

Reports: Kumar Sonu

A team of police arrives at the residence of Javed Mohammad.

He was asked to vacate his premises by 11 am.

Section 144 has been imposed in Maharashtra's Nashik for the next 15 days. 

All religious, cultural and political gatherings will be banned in the city from June 13 to 27. 

Bulldozers are likely to raze the residence of Javed Mohammad -- an activist with the Welfare Party of India, who was arrested in UP in connection with the protests that erupted in Prayagraj after Friday prayers. 

The authorities had asked Mohammad to vacate his residence by 11 am today.

One person was arrested for allegedly stoking communal tension as curfew and strict restrictions under prohibitory orders remained in force in parts of Jammu region's Chenab valley for the fourth successive day on Sunday, officials said. The accused Aadil Gafoor Ganai was arrested from his house during an early morning raid on Sunday by police at his residence at Chinar Mohalla locality in curfew-bound Bhaderwah town of Doda district, the officials said.

They said Ganai is accused of delivering an inflammatory speech from Markazi Jamia Masjid Bhaderwah on June 9 during a protest rally against recent remarks on Prophet Mohammad by two now-suspended BJP leaders and social media posts by a few local right-wing activists in their support.

Moradabad Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hemant Kutiyal said that an investigation is underway over the suspected hand of PFI behind the protests that erupted across the city after Friday prayers.

"Nothing like that has come in the investigation so far. But the investigation is going on. So, we won't deny it, there might be a possibility," says Moradabad SSP Hemant Kutiyal when asked if there was the hand of PFI or any other organisation behind Friday's protest.

The family members of two persons who succumbed to gunshot wounds during Friday's protests here against controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad, have claimed they were not a part of the procession that was taken out to condemn the comments.

Two people identified as Mohammad Mudassir Kaifi and Mohammad Sahil died and over two dozen people were injured in protests and subsequent clashes that rocked the state capital on Friday over the remarks made by two suspended BJP functionaries against Prophet Mohammad, officials said.

"We've registered a case under relevant sections of IPC against one person (who posted the post on social media) for hurting religious sentiments and have arrested the accused. The situation is now under control," says SP Adilabad, D Uday Kumar Reddy

Internet services have been restored in Ranchi.

The district administration had suspended the internet services on June 10 after the protest over the controversial remarks by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma turned violent

The West Bengal BJP submitted a memorandum to Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday seeking the deployment of paramilitary forces in the state over the violent protests in Howrah and Murshidabad against the controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad made by suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal.

"The deployment of mobile squads of Central paramilitary forces in affected areas, including route marches in extra-sensitive zones. If the grave situation persists, the deployment of the army should be seriously considered", stated the BJP letter.

Delhi Police have arrested two persons in connection with the Jama Masjid protest that took place on Friday over the controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad made by Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal.

"Two persons have been arrested last night under section 153A of IPC. Friday namaz always has a crowd, so we were alert that something could happen. But the way people came after offering namaz with banners and placards denotes that there is some kind of planning behind it," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central district, Shweta Chauhan.

Reports: Abhay Parashar

Reports: Ruchi Kumar