12 more arrested in Kanpur violence

Superintendent of Police (East) Pramod Kumar said that 12 persons have been arrested in the last 24 hours.

Those who have been arrested include Mohammad Afaq alias Chunnu, Adil, Ghulam Gaus, Shariq, Siraj, Saud Kalia, Shannu Laffaz, Farhan Kalia and Mahtab, he added.

Kumar said that with these new arrests, a total of 50 people have been arrested so far and efforts were being made to arrest others, who have been identified with the help of CCTV footage, videos and photographs.

Meanwhile, with the help of the posters, the police have identified two more stone-pelters after which two youths have been detained from Colonelganj.

Reports said that a minor accused surrendered before the police at Colonelganj police station.

Besides, a printing press owner has also been detained by the police and is being quizzed. It being said that the posters pasted across Kanpur were printed at his printing press.

It may be noted that the police on Monday pasted posters of stone-pelters, who were identified from the CCTV footage, at public places in the city and had appealed to the people to identify them so that they can be arrested.

The mastermind of the violence, national president of MM Jauhar Fans Association Hayat Zafar Hashmi, was arrested from Lucknow along with his aides Javed Ahmad Khan, Mohammad Rahil and Mohammad Sufiyan on June 4.

Police Commissioner of Kanpur Vijay Singh Meena has said that action under Gangster Act and National Security Act (NSA) will be taken against the rioters and their properties will be attached to give a message that such activities will not be tolerated.

It may be mentioned that six people were injured during clashes, which broke out over a comment on Prophet Mohammad in Nai Sadak area under Becon Ganj police station on June 3 after Friday namaz.

According to police sources, there was resentment in one section over the controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad made by Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) now expelled national spokesperson Nupur Sharma.

On Friday after Namaz, the crowd started to swell on Nai Sadak and raised slogans against the BJP spokesperson.

During the demonstration, some notorious elements started pelting stones, after which the situation deteriorated and brick batting started from the opposite side as well. There are reports of cross-firing and bomb pelting as well.

However, ADG Kumar said that in Nai Sadak area under Becon Ganj police station after Friday Namaz, some people tried to close the shops in the area, 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.