Soon after landing at Bareilly from Dubai, Rafique (name changed) got a shocker. He 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 he strict action 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 an isolated case. In fact, several other people residing outside the city too met the same fate. Bessdes, there were some residents whose name did not figure in the chargesheet of the police in connection with the recent riots, but they too were bracketed in the list of persons who could disturb peace in 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 enquired. Cleric, 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 leasg 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.