Saharanpur (UP), April 11 The UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested a cleric (Muslim religious leader) from Deoband here for allegedly posting inflammatory and objectionable content on social media and maintaining contacts with individuals in Pakistan, police said on Saturday.
The ATS Deoband In-charge, Inspector Sudhir Ujjwal, filed a formal report at the Deoband Police Station, stating that, based on intelligence input, they raided 'Mil Wala Phatak' in Deoband and arrested the accused, Mufti Zakir.
The investigation revealed that Mufti Zakir was posting messages and sharing content via social media to incite people by opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Sir Syed University of Aligarh (Sir), the verdict on the Ram Temple, and the actions taken during the "I Love Mohammed" protests.
Police has registered an FIR against the accused, stating that Mufti Zakir appears to have been influenced by watching videos of jailed former JNU student, Umar Khalid.
He also harbours animosity towards prominent ulemas (Islamic scholars) and politicians who advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity, according to the report.
The ATS alleges that Mufti Zakir was in contact with individuals and groups in Pakistan via WhatsApp.
His mobile phone records are also being analysed, as he was allegedly using it to spread misinformation and rumours, thereby fomenting communal tension.
Local police has been placed on alert, and surveillance has been intensified in sensitive areas.
Rojant Tyagi, SHO of the Deoband Police Station, said that the ATS is interrogating the accused.