Muzaffarnagar violence: `Bring culprits to book irrespective of political affiliation`

New Delhi: Describing riots in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas as unfortunate, Union Minister Manish Tewari on Monday said the UP government should control the situation at the earliest, and those responsible for it should be brought to book "irrespective of political affiliation".

"Whatever is happening there is very unfortunate. Uttar Pradesh government should try its best to bring the situation under control and whoever is responsible should be brought to book irrespective of political affiliation," said Manish Tewari, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister. As far as the UPA government is concerned, he said, it was always committed to ensure communal harmony and has always followed a policy of zero tolerance to any incident or any alleged attempt to scuttle peace in any part of the country. However, Tewari evaded a direct reply when asked if President`s rule should be imposed in UP, saying it is incumbent upon the state government to ensure that peace is restored soon. The toll in the violence in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas touched 31 today as Army has been called in to control the situation. PTI