The Uttar Pradesh police on Monday arrested the state head of the radical Islamic outfit Popular Front of India(PFI), Waseem and his two aides for allegedly masterminding the violence during the anti-CAA protests held in Lucknow last week.

#Breaking | Proof of ‘radical’ role in the anti-CAA violence in U.P has been accessed. The PFI has allegedly masterminded the violence in U.P and its leader Waseem has been arrested. TIMES NOW’s Amir Haque with details. Listen in. pic.twitter.com/oYIiQROkHn — TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 23, 2019

According to the police, the PFI played an instrumental role in inciting violence in several parts of Uttar Pradesh, especially its capital, Lucknow. Waseem’s key aides, Nadeem and Ashfaq were also arrested for allegedly engineering violence during the anti-CAA and anti-NRC protests in Lucknow. Maulana Shadab and 11 members of the PFI were earlier arrested in Shamli in similar cases.

Talking to the media, SSP Lucknow, Kalanidhi Naithani said, “We have been successful in nabbing mastermind of Lucknow violence. Waseem, Nadeem and Ashfaq of PFI have been arrested by the police. While Wasim is state head, Ashfaq is treasurer and Nadeem is a member of PFI.”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTwbvddFRq4]

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Earlier on Sunday, UP Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma had alleged possible role of PFI and Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in stoking violence during the anti-CAA protests in the state which has claimed 18 lives so far and left scores of people, including many policemen, injured.

SSP further added that the police have retrieved placards, flags, pamphlets and papers, literature, newspaper cuttings, banners and posters of NRC/CAA protest from the accused.

Furthermore, the SSP added that Nadeem and Ashfaq have confessed to the police of building a strategy for December 19 protests and publicising it on social media.

At least 39 FIRs have been filed in connection with the violence that erupted last week across various cities and towns in Uttar Pradesh during the anti-CAA protests. About 150 people have been arrested so far in the state.

In addition to Waseem, Nadeem and Ashfaq, the police have also arrested Robin Verma and Mohammad Shoaib of the Rihai Manch for their role in instigating the mob. Nadeem and Ashfaq were accused of inciting people for the protest through WhatsApp and other social media platforms by sharing literature and video, SSP said.