A mob of over 2000 Muslims turned violent and attacked media persons in Lucknow on Friday, leaving at least six of them profusely bleeding. There was a large number of police force present on the spot but remained mute spectators, giving a free hand to the rioters.

The mob, which came out of Teele Wali Masjid after Friday prayer and converted into a procession to protest against Assam and Myanmar violence, suddenly turned violent without any immediate provocation and started thrashing media persons.The protestors, owing allegiance to Jamaat-e-Ulama, also damaged their vehicles and cameras.Later on, a protester said they were angry because Salim Allarakha Chaukiya (23), one of the protesters in Saturday's riot in Mumbai was identified and arrested on Thursday only because of the media footage, in which he was shown brandishing a rifle which he had snatched from the police.

The procession had started from the Masjid on the direction of Maulana Fazlur Rehman Waizi, who called upon the community to get ready for a bigger war.

Known for his proximity with PWD minister Shivpal Singh Yadav, Waizi was prominently present in Thursday's roza iftar party of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. He is the imam of Teele Wali Masjid.