The Prayagraj administration has arrested 68 out of the 70 identified trouble-makers, including the alleged mastermind Javed Ahmad popularly known as Pump owing to his pump business, in connection with the violence in Atala area of the district on last Friday.
Revenue records and house layouts of the local residents are being scanned thoroughly to bring bulldozers into action.
Police officials are pinning the needle of suspicion towards Javed Ahmad and his daughter who lives in Delhi and is in contact with Islamic activists. Javed's phone call details have revealed that he was quite active in spreading messages and collecting people at Atala crossing, the epicenter of the trouble.
Some All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) activists are also under the scanner and if their involvement is proved, they too will be brought to books.
The police will not hesitate in imposing National Security Act and Gangsters Act on those who incited trouble and backed boys to hurl stones and crude bombs on the police and set vehicles on fire.
Teams of Prayagraj Development Authority and officers of Sadar tehsil visited the area with revenue records and blue print of the house maps to identify unauthorised constructions, and then bring the bulldozers into action.
The trouble-makers were identified with the help of CCTV footage and video recordings. As many as 70 trouble-makers were named in the FIR, which also made mention of 1,000 more.
Officials had made preparations near Jama Masjid to control any trouble after the Friday namaz, but dodging the police the crowd gathered at strategically strong Atala and pelted stones from narrow lanes and roof tops. Crude bombs were also hurled to keep the police at bay. Later, additional police force arrived from nearby districts and the situation was brought under control.
Alleged prime accused Javed was also involved in agitation against Citizenship Amendment Act particularly in Atala area.
Attempts are still being made to disturb peace in other areas also. In Koteshwar Mahadev temple in Shivkuti area, an egg was found in the temple. Police are collecting information about the miscreant on the basis of CCTV footage. A police force has been deployed there.
District Magistrate Sanjay Khatri and Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar visited the area along with policemen and took stock of the situation. The atmosphere was tense but peaceful.
Since Saturday morning, all routes leading to Atala have been barricaded. No one is being allowed to enter Atala. The suspects are being stopped and interrogated. Policemen are patrolling from the main road to the streets. The people living there are not venturing out of their homes and all shops are closed. People are not seen even on rooftops.