Three FIRs in Friday violence in Becon Ganj area of Kanpur

Joint Commissioner of Police Anand Prakash Tiwari said the police identified 36 persons till late Friday night on the basis of videos and photographs and lodged the FIRs.

An FIR has also been lodged against 1500 unidentified people as the identification process continues and more names will crop up, police said, reported NDTV.

Different teams were constituted to arrest the named accused and evidence is being collected.

The key accused identified as Zafar Hayat has been arrested. The police said he had told shops to close down through posters and social media posts. He also called a procession, during which the violence broke out, stated the NDTV report.

Earlier in the day, IPS Ajay Pal Sharma, who reached Kanpur from Lucknow after Friday's violence, said 18 people had been arrested, and several others were being quizzed in connection with the violence.

Meanwhile, there is peace has been restored in Nai Sadak area following strict instructions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for speedy identification and arrest of the accused in the stone-pelting case between two parties on Friday.

A heavy police force has been deployed in Becon Ganj and Nai Sadak area to maintain law and order and the market remained closed on the directives of the local administration. While reviewing the law and order situation on Friday night, the CM directed the administration to deal with the rioters strictly.

According to media reports, over 40 people were injured during clashes, which broke out after a comment on Prophet Mohammad in the Becon Ganj area here on Friday.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said additional forces have been rushed to Kanpur.

The ADG said action under the Gangster Act will also be taken against those who created disturbance, along with the conspirators.

"Their properties will be seized and demolished," he added.

According to police sources, there was resentment in one section over the controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad made by Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) national spokesperson Nupur Sharma. "On Friday after Namaz, the crowd started to swell on Nai Sadak and raised slogans against the BJP spokesperson," they said.

Police sources said during the demonstration, some notorious elements started pelting stones, after which the situation deteriorated. "There are reports of cross-firing and pelting of bombs," they said.

ADG Kumar said some people tried to close the shops in the Nai Sadak area under Becon Ganj police station after Friday Namaz, which was opposed by the opposite side.

"This led to clashes and stone-pelting. After getting information, police, including the Police Commissioner, reached the spot immediately and controlled the situation after using necessary force," he said.

The government has taken a serious note of the incident and additional force has been dispatched.

"In all 12 companies and one platoon of PAC were sent immediately and in addition to this, some officers will also be sent there. Those who created disturbances are being identified and so far, 18 people have been arrested," he added.

The ADG said police have got an adequate number of video footage on the basis of which further action will be taken.

(With inputs from UNI)