Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested more than 300 people from eight districts across the state regarding the ‘violence’ during Friday protests against the ‘derogatory’ remarks on the last Islamic prophet by (n0w suspended) BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said, "As many as 304 persons have been arrested from eight districts of the state, and 13 cases have been registered in this connection in nine districts of the state.
"91 persons have been arrested in Prayagraj, followed by 71 in Saharanpur, 51 in Hathras, 34 each in Ambedkar Nagar and Moradabad, 15 in Firozabad, six in Aligarh, and two in Jalaun."
Three out of the 13 cases were registered in Prayagraj and Saharanpur, and one each in Firozabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Moradabad, Hathras, Aligarh, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Jalaun, the senior officer said.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a stern warning on Saturday. "Strictest action will be taken against the anti-social elements involved in the chaotic efforts to spoil the atmosphere in various cities in the past few days," he said while issuing directives to officials.
"There is no place for such anti-social people in a civilized society. No innocent should be harassed, but not a single guilty should be spared," he said.
In a tweet in Hindi, Mrityunjay Kumar, the media advisor to the chief minister, on Saturday had said, "Unruly elements remember, every Friday is followed by a Saturday" and posted a photo of a bulldozer demolishing a building.
Several Muslim houses were also demolished by civil authorities.
After Friday prayers, massive protests erupted across UP, protestors pelted stones at police personnel in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) and Saharanpur.
Protest marches were carried out against the ‘controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) made by now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
In Prayagraj, the mob set on fire a few motorcycles and carts and also attempted to set ablaze a police vehicle. Police used tear gas and lathis to disperse the protesters and restored peace. A policeman was also injured, according to police.
In Saharanpur, protesters shouted slogans against Sharma and demanded the death sentence for her.
There were protests in Bijnor, Moradabad, Rampur and Lucknow as well.
Sharma was suspended by the BJP after several Islamic nations denounced her comments on the Prophet during a TV debate.
A YouTuber from Kashmir was arrested after he posted a video that showed him beheading an effigy of Ms Sharma. In Jharkhand state, two Muslim men died of bullet injuries during the protests.
(With Inputs From PTI)