Muzaffarnagar violence: Four killed, cases registered against 15

Zee Media Bureau

Lucknow: The situation in Muzaffarnagar, where four people were killed as communal violence erupted afresh in Budhana area of Muzaffarnagar district late Wednesday continued to be tense on Thursday. Eight persons have been arrested and cases registered against 15 people in connection with fresh communal violence. Paramilitary forces are patrolling in the tense areas and the administration has imposed Section 144 in the area to avoid any untoward incident. Taking note of the situation, Union Home Ministry has asked for a report from the Uttar Pradesh government over the clashes. "We are keeping a watch on the situation. We have also sought a report from UP," Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told reporters. Shinde said the Central government was conscious about the Muzaffarnagar situation and was ready to offer all help to the state government in maintaining law and order. Speaking to the media, UP ADG Law and Order Mukul Goel said that strict action will be taken against those accused in the violence. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Devraj Nagar termed the latest clashes a big challenge and said, “We accept it and will act tough against guilty.” The top cop asserted that some people are deliberately doing such things to disturb atmosphere. He assured of strict action against the culprits and said that the police force is trying to work towards maintaining peace. Admitting lapses on part of the police, Nagar said that there is definitely lack in policing, otherwise people wouldn`t dare to commit such acts. District Magistrate Kaushal Raj had said yesterday that three victims, identified as Afroz, 20, Meherban, 21, and Ajmal, 22, were beaten to death while another was injured in clashes between members of two communities at Muhammadpurraisingh village. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has sent state police chief Deo Raj Nagar to the violence hit region. Nagar along with Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) RK Vishwkarma, who were in New Delhi to participate in a meeting called by the Election Commission of India, are now camping in Muzaffarnagar. The incident appeared to be a fallout of the communal tension in the region. Muhammadpurraisingh village was one of places affected by the riots last month. Residents of Muhammadpurraisingh clashed with people belonging to Hussainpur village that led to the death of the three youths, the sources had said. A woman was also killed when she along with her husband was attacked by a mob. The woman was killed on the spot, however her husband survived and is admitted in a Meerut hospital. The incident took place on the Hasanpur-Lisadh road when the couple was returning from a doctor. They were intercepted by a group of armed assailants who first stabbed them and then shot at them, injured Rajendra told the police. He also said that his wife Reena was killed on the spot. Communal riots in Muzaffarnagar and neighbouring areas of Shamli and Meerut had left 63 people dead between Sep 6 and 10. More than 43,000 people were rendered homeless and many of them have refused to go back home, citing the possibility of revenge attacks. The state government has released Rs 90 crore for the 1,800 families, mostly Muslim, who had refused to go back to their homes. Fresh violence result of vote-bank politics of SP The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the fresh violence in Muzaffarnagar, saying this is the result of vote-bank politics of the Akhilesh Yadav-led Uttar Pradesh Government. "The situation arising in and around Muzaffarnagar is very worrisome. We appeal that government must immediately take action so as to prevent further flare-up," said BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar. "We condemn the incident in Muzaffarnagar, since the Akhilesh Government came in power in UP, there have been over 100 riots. Not a single real culprit has been nabbed," he added.