#SambhalViolence | One of the only people to have secured bail was a journalist called Asim Raza Zaidi, who was arrested by police in Sambhal on Sunday for allegedly collecting money for families affected by the violence. Saad Usmani said that Raza had been arrested for forgery, because he was carrying both his valid identity card and one issued by his previous workplace. A lawyer who is representing several of the accused said that the police sweeps had created an unprecedented level of fear in the city. “Nobody knows when a policeman will enter someone’s home and turn them into an accused.”

Amid the tension, the state government began a drive against alleged power theft, including in the neighbourhoods close to the mosque, with Adityanath claiming that Muslim places of worship were being used as “mini power stations.” Barq was fined Rs1.91 crore, and the electricity supply to his home was cut off. His father was booked for allegedly threatening power department officials during the inspection of their residence. “This is all leading up to turning Muslims into second-class citizens,” Saifi said.

Read @shahidtantray and @SunilKashyap0's report on how an atmosphere of fear persists in the wake of the Sambhal violence:Or watch the video report on YouTube:
#SambhalViolence