Families in Bareilly are reeling from the recent police crackdown on protests linked to the “I Love Muhammad” campaign, which took place on Friday. Reports indicate that several young Muslim men and minors were allegedly detained by police and displayed publicly with their hands folded. Since the incident, families have expressed concerns regarding the whereabouts of these individuals.
Each day, relatives, particularly mothers and sisters, gather outside local police stations, seeking information about their missing loved ones. Their pleas reflect the prevailing fear and uncertainty within the community.
Gulafshan, a mother whose 17-year-old son was taken by police on Friday night, recounted his sudden disappearance. “My boy went out just to get milk for the house and has not returned,” she stated. Neighbors informed her that police detained him during their raid at a nearby crossroads. Despite frequent visits to the police station, officials have provided no information regarding her son’s whereabouts. “He is just a child,” she emphasized.
Gulafshan, who suffers from asthma, shared that she has been visiting the police station every day for the past five days in hopes of finding her son. “We come here in the morning and return late at night, clinging to the hope of seeing him,” she added.
Afsana reported that her uncle and two family members were taken by police on Sunday afternoon while she was away. Her uncle, who operates a scrap shop and produces content on Instagram, has seemingly vanished along with the others. “They picked them up while my daughter was at home. We don’t know where they are,” Afsana lamented. “I keep going to the station, but all I hear is silence. It feels like he has vanished into thin air.”
Naseem Fatima, another family member searching for her younger brother, expressed the extreme distress her family is facing. “My brother is innocent; he has no involvement in protests or politics. We have petitioned every office, yet they tell us to wait. How long can we endure this? If they have him, let us see him. Why this silence?” she questioned.
Families claim they have not been provided with any official arrest records. Legal advocates representing the relatives argue that such detentions violate constitutional protections and constitute illegal custody. Activists warn that the lack of transparency in these actions is eroding trust between the community and law enforcement.
“It is not just about arrests; it involves dignity and rights. Families have the right to know where their loved ones are and what charges, if any, they face,” stated a local rights advocate.
In contrast, police officials have categorized those in custody as “troublemakers” accused of inciting disorder, although the exact number of detained individuals remains unclear. Ten FIRs have been filed against over 2,000 people, with at least 60 arrests made, including that of prominent Muslim cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, without providing specific reasons to the families for these detentions.
The atmosphere in Bareilly remains tense, marked by a heavy police presence.
Tags: illegal detentions, Bareilly, I Love Muhammad, families, crackdown
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