UP Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey Placed Under House Arrest Amid Bareilly Tensions

Lucknow, Oct 4: In the wake of communal tensions in Bareilly district, the Samajwadi Party (SP) faced restrictions as Uttar Pradesh Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey was placed under house arrest by Lucknow Police. The move effectively stopped him from leading a party delegation to the district.

The Bareilly District Magistrate had issued strict orders prohibiting political leaders from entering the area without prior permission, citing security concerns. Police in coordination with the directives deployed a large force outside Pandey’s residence in Vrindavan Colony early on Friday, preventing him from traveling.

Several other SP leaders, including MPs Harendra Malik, Iqra Hasan, Ziaur Rahman Barq, and Mohibullah, were also reportedly barred from visiting Bareilly, with authorities closely monitoring movements in their respective districts. Party officials, including the state general secretary, who arrived in support of Pandey, were stopped at his residence, with police maintaining a strict blockade.

Addressing the media, Pandey criticized the administration, saying, “The District Magistrate should have given the notice directly to us. We were going to Bareilly to meet party workers and gather ground information. This attempt to stop us raises serious questions and appears aimed at hiding illegal actions. We will expose them.”

He added that SP national president Akhilesh Yadav had constituted a 14-member delegation after reports of innocent individuals being jailed during the unrest. The party stated it may pursue legal and political action in response to what it called a targeted suppression of democratic rights.