By TCN Staff Reporter,
Lucknow: The war of words between two Shia groups spilled on roads on Sunday as hundreds of Shias took out a protest march demanding ouster of Chairman of Shia Central Board of Waqfs (SCBW) Syed Waseem Rizvi while those owing allegiance to Rizvi also displayed their numbers in the Old City area.
Police used mild force to disperse them while several of them received minor injuries. Shops were closed fearing an outbreak of violence in the old city. Later, the protestors were taken into preventive custody near Hathi Park.
Members of Shia community clash over demand to oust Shia central waqf board chairman in Lucknow on Sunday (9th Oct)
The matter between the two groups is brewing for past one month. The All India Central Board of Azadari led by Imam-e-Juma Maulana Kalbe Jawwad levelled corruption charges for selling of waqf properties against Chairman, SCBW, Syed Waseem Rizvi. Demanding a CBI enquiry against him, the organisation led a protest march from Dargah Hazrat Abbas in Rustam Nagar on Sunday. Heavy police force prevented any major incidents. Mild force was used to control them. The protestors led by Meesam Rizvi and Hidayat Nawab were taken into preventive custody when their march reached Hathi Park. A bystander Aqeel is reported to have fractured his hand during the melee.
On the other hand, Chairman, SCBW, Syed Waseem Rizvi also flexed his muscle in his defence. The whole committee of Dargah Hazrat Abbas resigned levelling charges of financial anomalies against the caretaker Hidayat Nawab. Not only this Rizvi also reached Saadatganj crossing where his supporters too assembled in large numbers and raised slogans in his favour. “I am ready for any probe against me and no waqf property has been sold off during my regime. Those leveling charges are themselves neck deep in corruption and enquiry has been initiated against them,” said Rizvi.
In the dispute the denizens and shopkeepers of the area were the main sufferers. All the shops in the area remained closed fearing escalating of violence. Heavy police force, however, averted any mishappening.