

Ranchi: Around 100 people, mostly men, who organized a peaceful march in support of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik at Patan in Sahebganj district, 530km from here, were detained by police on Saturday. Naik has been at the center of a row after Bangladesh asked India to probe his speeches that reportedly inspired a militant in Bangladesh. This was the second such march for Naik - the last one was organized in Pakur on Wednesday.

The participants of the march were mostly locals who raised slogans in support of Naik and protested against the "media trials" of the Islamic preacher. Organized by Hafiz Abdul Salim, the local representative of Popular Front of India, the march was passing through the local marketplace when police detained all the participants.

Sahebganj SP P Murugan said the march was organized without prior permission from the district administration. "The demonstration had the potential to cause the breakdown of law and order and create tension. In a preventive move, the demonstrators were detained," said Murugan.

Besides Naik slogans were also raised in support of AIMIM chief Assasuddin Owaisi. The protestors claimed the Center was anti-Muslim and was trying to suppress Muslim leaders in the country. Unconfirmed reports said that a couple of demonstrators also shouted 'Pakistan zindabad'.



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