Bareilly: The Bareilly Development Authority demolished a two storey market complex owned by Mohammad Arif, a close associate of Maulana Tauqeer Raza, at Pilibhit bypass on Saturday. The action took place under heavy police presence. Traders said they received a short window to clear their goods before bulldozers arrived.
The structure housed more than two dozen shops along with a showroom. Officials said sixteen shops were part of the portion marked for removal. Many traders, most of them Muslims, watched as their shops were razed. Several said they lost assets built over years of work. A shopkeeper said the action felt like punishment because of Arif’s association with Maulana Tauqeer Raza. Another asked why such demolitions target Muslim owned establishments.
The administration dismissed these concerns. A Bareilly Development Authority official said the authority acted under the rules and removed illegal encroachments. The official denied any bias.
The demolition followed tensions that broke out in Bareilly on September 26 after Friday prayers. A crowd held posters reading I Love Muhammad. Clashes took place and police used lathis to disperse people. Residents said recent actions by the administration have focused on individuals linked with Maulana Tauqeer Raza.
Local accounts indicate growing fear among traders in the area. They said steps by civic agencies often affect one section of society. The incident has added to concerns among Muslims in Bareilly who feel targeted after the September clashes. Traders said they will seek clarity on compensation and future rehabilitation.
