Soon after landing at Bareilly from Dubai, Rafique (name changed) was handed out a Red Warning Card by the district authorities. The card instructed him not to violate law and disturb peace in the city failing which strict actions would be taken against him.
“I was shocked to see the red card issued in my name. I come here once a year to celebrate Eid with my family. What do I have to do with riots or any illegal activities,” he said by way of questioning. But his was not the only case. In fact, several other people living outside the city were given the same card. Besides, there are some residents whose name was nowhere in the chargesheet for recent riots, but they too were bracketed in the list of persons who could disturb peace in the city.
“The red cards were issued to Hindus and Muslims alike, but majority were given to Muslims which is point of resentment,” said SP MlA from Bahedi segment, Aata-ur-Rehman. The MlA reportedly raised the point with the SSP, who assured him of an inquiry. Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan termed the move as a ‘politics’ of police and district administration. “These cards are like a blame on Muslims and attempt to leash them unnecessarily,” said he. Bareilly was witness to a number of bloody communal riots in recent past and it was summarily classified as a sensitive district. Due to the Kanwar Yatra and Ramzan, the local administration issued warning cards to people to avoid any exigency.