Internet services suspended to curb potential unrest
Internet services were suspended across Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly division on Thursday afternoon for 48 hours — until 3 PM on Saturday — amid simmering communal tensions linked to the ‘I love Muhammad’ poster controversy. The move also comes ahead of the Dussehra and Durga Puja celebrations this weekend, which are expected to draw large crowds.
The decision was taken by the district administration to prevent potential misuse of social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp, which, officials said, could be used to spread rumours or incite violence.
“There is a possibility of social media platforms being misused to spread rumours and incite communal tension. This step is essential to maintain peace,” the administration stated in its order.
To prevent any flare-ups, security has been significantly ramped up. Local police have been reinforced with personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF).
Drone surveillance is also being used to monitor sensitive areas, particularly around Ramlila grounds and Ravan Dahan venues, which attract massive public gatherings during the festival season.
Alerts have been extended to neighbouring districts — Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit, and Budaun — by Divisional Commissioner Bhupendra Chaudhary, signalling concerns of potential spillover of unrest.
The region has remained tense following last week’s clashes outside a mosque in Bareilly’s Kotwali area, where nearly 2,000 people had gathered after Friday prayers. The protest — called off by cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan — was related to the controversial ‘I love Muhammad’ posters.
Despite the cancellation, tensions erupted, and stone-pelting was reported during confrontan arrested in connections between protestors and the police.
So far, 81 individuals have beetion with the violence, and properties linked to some of the accused have been demolished as part of the crackdown.
On Wednesday, police arrested two more suspects after a brief encounter in the city’s CB Ganj area. Both sustained bullet injuries and are currently under treatment in custody, officials confirmed.
Cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, along with several of his associates and at least one relative, has also been arrested. Police have filed 10 FIRs, naming 180 individuals and including over 2,500 unnamed persons. Dozens have already been taken into custody.
The situation in Bareilly and surrounding areas remains tense but under control, authorities said, urging citizens to remain calm and refrain from sharing unverified information online once services are restored.
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