Kanpur: The Kanpur police on Saturday confirmed that around 18 people have been arrested so far in connection with the riots that broke out on Friday over remarks on Prophet Muhammad. The police also added that it will investigate whether the accused have any links with the Popular Front of India.
During a presser, Kanpur CP Vijay Singh Meena confirmed that 18 were arrested on Friday while 6 were arrested on Saturday. As many as three FIRs were filed and 36 people have been identified so far in connection with the violence.
“Four men involved in the conspiracy were identified, tracked and arrested. We will investigate if they had any links with the PFI. Action will be taken under Gangster Act, and NSA and their properties will be seized,” he said. He further added that the police would ask for a 14-day remand to interrogate the
The main accused is identified as Hayat Jaffar Hashmi. He was arrested from the Hazratganj area of Lucknow following which he was taken in for questioning. The other accused are identified as Javed Ahmed Khan, Mohammad Rahil and Mohammad Suffian.