Shia members protest appointment of 'corrupt' to Waqf Board

Lucknow, July 25: Members of Shia community were lathicharged by police today as they were marching to gherao the house of Uttar Pradesh Waqf Minister Mohd Azam Khan over the alleged move to appoint "corrupt persons" to the Shia Central Board in the state.

After 'Alvida Namaz', a procession, led by prominent Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, was taken out here to gherao Azam's residence, but police put up barricades near Shaheed Smarak to stop them. When the protesters attempted to force their way and march ahead, they were lathicharged by police.

Reacting strongly to the police action, Maulana Jawwad said the procession was being taken out peacefully, but "on the directive of Azam, police lathicharged people observing roza (fast) in which several persons, including elderly and children were injured".

The Maulana alleged that the election of Shia Central Waqf Board are scheduled soon and Azam intends to appoint people who intend to loot Waqf properties, to important posts.

Later, agitated with police action, the cleric sat on dharna in front of Shaheed Smarak, demanding that he should either be allowed to move ahead to Azam's house or be arrested.

PTI