Prophet row: Two dead in Ranchi; Howrah simmers; authorities take action against protesters across states

Two persons succumbed to gunshot wounds in Jharkhand capital Ranchi and fresh demonstrations were held in West Bengal's Howrah on Saturday as tension prevailed in several parts of the country a day after the violent protests against the controversial remarks by BJP's now-sacked two functionaries on Prophet Mohammad.

Authorities suspended the Internet and tightened security in the affected districts as they cracked down on protesters allegedly involved in violence and clashes with police personnel on Friday, with nearly 240 people arrested in Uttar Pradesh alone. Cases have been also registered in Delhi, Maharashtra and other states.

While a bandh was observed on Saturday in the Jharkhand capital on a call by Hindu outfits against the violence, around 2,500 police personnel were deployed and the internet was suspended in the district.

Also Read | Jharkhand CM orders high-level probe into Ranchi violence

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren formed a two-member committee, comprising senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal and Additional Director General of Police Sanjay Latkar to investigate the violence that left two persons dead and at least 24 people injured, a senior official told PTI.

The committee has been asked to submit its report to the state government in a week, he said.

Mohammad Mudassir Kaifi (22), who had gunshot wounds on his head, and 24-year-old Mohammad Sahil, with bullet injuries on neck, died during treatment, an official of state-run Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences said in Ranchi.

"Both were residents of Ranchi," he said, adding that eight others are in the ICU.

Also Read | Prophet remarks row: 2 killed, many critically injured as violence rocks Ranchi

Ranchi's Deputy Inspector General Anish Gupta said a Special Investigation Team has also been set up to probe the incident. "Three FIRs have been lodged so far. Search operations are on to arrest the persons involved in the violence," he said.

Delhi Police registered a case in connection with Friday's protest outside Jama Masjid and under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code and further investigation is underway, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Shweta Chauhan said.

Fresh violence was reported in the Panchla Bazaar area in West Bengal's Howrah district as protesters clashed with the police, set ablaze several houses and also vandalised a BJP party office. Protests had erupted in several parts of the Howrah district on Friday with people indulging in stone-pelting, setting police vehicles on fire and damaging public property. Internet services have been suspended across the district till June 13 and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC imposed in several areas such as Uluberia, Domjur and Panchla till June 15.

Also Read | Prophet remarks row: After Howrah, internet services suspended in parts of Murshidabad

On Saturday, authorities suspended internet services in parts of Murshidabad district also till June 14.

The West Bengal government affected a police reshuffle in Howrah district, appointing Praveen Tripathi, Additional CP of Kolkata Police, the new Commissioner of Police of Howrah City and other officers.

The decision was taken during an emergency meeting held in the state secretariat over the current situation in the Howrah district.

BJP's West Bengal unit president Sukanta Majumdar was arrested on Saturday afternoon near the toll plaza on Vidyasagar Setu when he was on the way to the violence-hit Howrah district. "His visit could have created a law and order situation. This is a preventive arrest," a senior police officer told PTI.

Read | Prophet row: Fresh violence erupts in pockets of Howrah

Majumdar, the MP of Balurghat in Uttar Dinajpur, said the situation in West Bengal was fast turning into that in Kashmir.

Following Majumdar's arrest, BJP leaders and workers hit the streets in Kolkata, Uttar Dinajpur, Cooch Behar, Birbhum and Jalpaiguri districts.

BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh, however, managed to enter Howrah and visit the areas where offices of his party were attacked.

Nupur Sharma was suspended by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while another leader, Naveen Jindal, was expelled over their controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad.

Also Read | UP police arrests 237 people for Friday violence; CM Adityanath issues stern warning

The comments led to an intense backlash in several Islamic countries and calls for a boycott of Indian products. There have been protests in many Indian cities as well, while multiple FIRs have been registered against Sharma.

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim demanded the arrest of Sharma.

"She should be arrested immediately. BJP is trying to vitiate the atmosphere of the country," he said.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi accused the BJP of not taking timely action against Sharma. He said that nobody should indulge in violence over the issue and police should also not take the law into their hands.

"Nupur Sharma is not being arrested. As per the law, she should be arrested. Why don't you arrest her and take legal action against her?

Also Read | Violent protests in Uttar Pradesh over remarks on Prophet Mohammed; dozens held

"The BJP's action of suspending her for violating the party's constitution did not resolve the issue, and one should also think of the Indian Constitution," the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief said.

Union minister Ramdas Athawale appealed to people, especially Muslims, to maintain peace and said the government and police are keeping an eye on those trying to trigger communal violence in the country.

"The BJP has already taken action against the two leaders and therefore, there is no need for agitation. People need to maintain calm," the Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment said in Jammu.

In Jammu and Kashmir, a Kashmiri YouTuber was arrested in Srinagar on a charge of breaching public tranquillity and causing fear in the public after he posted a video depicting the beheading of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on social media platforms.

Also Read | West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar arrested on way to violence-hit Howrah

Wani has deleted the video and apologised for it as well.

Before his arrest, Wani posted another video in which he said he did not have any intention of hurting the sentiments of people or any religion.

"YouTuber Faisal Wani has been arrested. He had uploaded an incriminating video on YouTube which is against public tranquillity and has caused fear and alarm to the public in general. The FIR has been registered under sections 505 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code at the Safa Kadal police station," police said.

Curfew remained imposed in parts of Chenab valley in Jammu after violent protests, while a day-long shutdown was called by some Muslim bodies.

Broadband and mobile internet services remained suspended in several areas, including Bhaderwah and Kishtwar towns, as a precautionary measure.

Also Read | Bengal govt effects police transfers in violence-hit Howrah

Reports from the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in the Peer Panchal region of Jammu said a peaceful shutdown was observed there.

Uttar Pradesh police said it had arrested 237 people from various districts. In Saharanpur and Prayagraj, police officials said action will be taken against those arrested under the stringent National Security Act.

Among those arrested, 68 were held in Prayagraj and 50 in Hathras, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said in a statement on Saturday.

He said 55 people were arrested in Saharanpur, 28 in Ambedkarnagar, 25 in Moradabad, eight in Firozabad, and three is Aligarh.

UP Chief Minister Adityanath, who has often spoken of how under his rule the state has been rid of frequent riots, issued a stern warning.

Also Read | Prophet row: Iran, Pakistan, B'desh see huge protests

"Strictest action will be taken against the anti-social elements involved in the chaotic efforts to spoil the atmosphere in various cities in the past few days," he said while issuing directives to officials.

"There is no place for such anti-social people in a civilised society. No innocent should be harassed, but not a single guilty should be spared," he said.

Meanwhile, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanded that high-resolution cameras be installed “inside and outside” every mosque and madrassa.

VHP working president Alok Kumar said those trying to pollute the “peaceful and harmonious” atmosphere of the country will have to understand that India is run by the Constitution and not by the Shariat.

The “religious places”, from where the alleged violent mobs came out and indulged in rioting, must also own up to their responsibility, the VHP working president said.

Also Read | If Hindu deities are insulted, then truth will be told: Pragya Thakur on Prophet row

“Besides, the VHP also demands that high-resolution video cameras be installed inside and outside every mosque and madrassa as well as in the Muslim-dominated areas for monitoring of the activities in these places,” the outfit's national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said.

In Maharashtra, several cases were registered in connection with Friday's protests.

An FIR registered was registered at Panvel city Police station under section 37 (1) (3), 135 of Maharashtra Police Act (violating prohibitory orders) against the protesters. Cases were also registered at Ganesh Peth Police Station at Nagpur city, City Chowk in Aurangabad city, Shahada in Nandurbar, Kotwali Police Station at Ahmednagar, Sadar Bazar at Jalna and Sadar Bazar at Solapur.

A case had been registered against over 100 demonstrators who staged an agitation in Aurangabad. They have been booked under section 149 (unlawful assembly) and other relevant provisions of the IPC and Motor Vehicles Act, an official from the Begumpura police station said. Meanwhile, a large number of Muslims staged a protest in front of a police station in Nashik city demanding action against a netizen for allegedly posting derogatory material about Prophet Mohammad. Senior police officers, including commissioner of police Jayant Naiknavare, rushed to the spot and pacified the protesters. A case was registered under section 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), and other charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the cyber police station.

BJP's controversial Bhopal MP Pragya Singh Thakur came out in support of Sharma, saying that if anybody insults Hindu deities, then such people would be told the "truth". After Thakur's comments made here on Friday, the opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh sought a clarification from the BJP on its stand. In the wake of the violent protests, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said he has directed police to take all steps to maintain law and order in the state. "Presently, the situation is peaceful in the state. The police have been instructed to deploy the forces in sensitive areas," the chief minister said.