Tensions flared up here after Friday prayers when a large crowd marched toward Islamia Ground defying police restrictions following a protest call given by head of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) Maulana Tauqeer Raza.

The situation turned volatile when the crowd reportedly began chanting religious slogans and pelting stones at the police. In response, the law enforcement agency resorted to a lathi-charge and used tear gas to disperse the mob, leading to chaos and a brief stampede in the area.

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Maulana Tauqeer Raza has been taken into custody. He has a controversial antecedents and faces charges of inciting riots in Bareilly in 2010 with a case still under judicial consideration .

In the wake of the unrest, heavy police deployment has been enforced across Bareilly. Force

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