Violence In UP's Prayagraj After Friday Prayers: 70 Named, 5,000 Unnamed Accused Booked; Gangster Act And NSA To Be Imposed

The Uttar Pradesh police have booked over 5,000 unnamed people in connection with the violence in Prayagraj after Friday prayers over BJP leader Nupur Sharma's remarks against Prophet Mohammed during a TV debate last month.

The action comes after protests and sloganeering in various parts of the state including Prayagraj, Saharanpur and Moradabad after the Friday prayers.

In Atala area of Prayagraj, people raised slogans and pelted stones after the Friday prayers ended.

The police have arrested over 220 people across the state, with maximum 70 people held in connection with the violent protests in Prayagraj, reports Aaj Tak.

Further, 50 people have been arrested in Hathras, followed by 48 in Saharanpur, 28 in Ambedkar Nagar, 25 in Moradabad and eight in Ferozabad.

The police have also detained alleged mastermind of the protest, Javed Ahmed.

"Mastermind Javed Ahmed detained, there could be more masterminds...The anti social-elements used minor kids to hurl stones at police and administration," Kumar was quoted by new agency ANI as saying.

He informed that the police have registered a case against the stone pelters under 29 crucial sections.

"70 named accused and over 5000 unnamed...Action to be taken under Gangster Act and NSA," Kumar said.

He said that names of some people from AIMIM have surfaced in the violence but no connection has been made yet and the police is gathering evidence for the same.

"Javed's daughter who is a student in Delhi is also involved in such activities...If needed, we will contact Delhi Police and send our teams," he said.