NSA Imposes National Security Act on Bareilly Home Guard for Muharram Clash Role | Bareilly News

BAREILLY: Home guard Bakhtawar Ali, who was said to be the “mastermind” behind a clash between two groups during a Muharram procession in Bareilly and later dismissed from work, was slapped with the stringent National Security Act (NSA) on Thursday.
Bareilly ASP, Mukesh Chandra Mishra, said, “Violence during Muharram had left one dead and several injured. Two FIRs were registered under BNS sections 191-2 (force or violence used by unlawful assembly), 132 (criminal force against govt servant), 125A (acts endangering personal safety), 115-2 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 109 (attempt to murder) against the perpetrators. Bakhtawar was identified as the prime accused and arrested on July 20. A chargesheet was thereafter filed against him.”
After the violent incident on July 19 and death of a 22-year-old man, Tej Ram, the Bareilly administration razed 14 houses and sent 58 people to jail on July 22. Seven others were said to be absconding.
Bakhtawar was trying to get bail, his daughter Noor said. “The clash was a result of violence from both sides. But, FIR was registered against our side. My father is being made a scapegoat. Our community members are forced to live outside. We’re not allowed to enter the village. There is no support from the police.”
On the day of the violence, people from the minority community were taking out a procession near a temple when some anti-social elements allegedly started beating drums and hurling abuses. There was a heated argument and both sides started pelting stones at each other. Purported videos of the stone-pelting incident were widely shared on social media.
Notably, the NSA gives govt power to detain anyone without a trial for up to a year, if it believes his/her action could harm the country’s defence, foreign relations or national security.