Lucknow: Union Minister Sri Prakash
Jaiswal on Thursday asked UP Chief Minister Mayawati to order
authorities to release a prominent Sunni cleric arrested in
connection with Bareilly communal clashes, saying this could
have an adverse impact on the law and order situation.
"There had been a lot of tension and rumours in
Bareilly and adjoining areas following the arrest of Maulana
Tauqeer Raza Khan by the district administration and protest
rallies and demonstrations are being held there against the
move," Jaiswal said in a letter sent to Mayawati.
The protests over the issue are spreading fast and
this could have an adverse impact on the law and order
situation of the state, the Union minister of state for coals
said and appealed to the chief minister to get Khan
immediately released.
Jaiswal has also asked Mayawati to get the entire
matter thoroughly probed and take action only after that.
Fresh tension erupted in the city after Khan, leader
of Ittehad-e-Millat Conference, was arrested on March 8 on
charges of inciting communal feelings, attempt to murder and
treason.
Communal clashes had broken out in Bareilly on March
two over taking out of Barawafat procession leading to
imposition of curfew in four police station areas of the town.
PTI
