Bijnor, July 11, 2021 (PPI-OT):Adil Naeem, 30 year old resident of Qazipara in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor has been arrested Friday by Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UPSTF) for taking part in anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in Bijnor two years back.

According to the STF, Adil was wanted in seven cases of “rioting” in connection with the CAA/NRC protests. The cases were registered at Kotwali Nagar police station. Police also had put a prize of Rs 25,000 on Adil.

Adil’s family denied the police allegations, saying he was being framed, as per South Asian Wire report. Akif Saeed, Adil’s brother told that Adil was not in the area when the protests happened in the city. “Somebody dragged my brother’s name during the protests, and since then, the cops are after him,” Akif said. Akif also said that Adil was associated with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) during those days. “He was an active social worker and a vocal Muslim which might have triggered them to accuse him of being involved in the violence,” said Akif.

Akif who said he has full faith in the judiciary, claimed that the police can’t find any photo or video of Adil involving in the violence. “There is not a single proof to say that he is a criminal. Not a single photo or video can be found against him,” he said. Adil’s arrest comes on a day the Supreme Court asked the Uttar Pradesh government not to take action on earlier notices sent to protesters who had agitated against the Citizenship Amendment Act to recover alleged losses from public property damage caused during the protests.

The police actions against anti-CAA protesters in Uttar Pradesh cities including Bjinor were widely criticised by Opposition parties, Muslim community leaders and national and international rights groups. They accused of Uttar Pradesh police fatally fired live ammunition at demonstrators and arrested thousands. More than 22 Muslim youth were killed in police firing across Uttar Pradesh. Two of the killed were from Bijnor. Reports say more than 150 Muslim youth were arrested till now in connection with CAA protests in Bijnor.

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