In Uttar Pradesh, the army and paramilitary forces are keeping a strict vigil in the trouble-hit areas of Muzaffarnagar, besides staging flag march. The army also staged a flag march in Meerut city to instill a sense of security in the citizens. State Chief Secretary Javed Usmani told reporters in Lucknow that eight columns of military have been deployed in Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Shamli. DM, Muzaffar Nagar, Kaushal Raj Sharma has confirmed that 21 persons have so far lost their lives in the violence. He however claimed that no big incident or casualty has been reported since afternoon today. He said that situation in 21 out 22 police station areas is totally under control.
Talking to AIR, DM, Muzaffarnagar said that at least two companies of the paramilitary forces have been deployed in each of the 22 police areas of the district. The schools and colleges have been closed till the 11th of this month in Muzaffarnagar district while all the school and colleges in Meerut have also been ordered to close tomorrow.
Talking to media in Lucknow today, the IG, STF, Ashish Gupta said that special care is being taken to nab the culprits who are spreading false and baseless rumours and also the miscreants who are trying to vitiate the communal fabric by circulating forged and malicious videos. He warned the general public to be alert in this regard and appealed them to immediately inform the authorities if they come across any such situation.
AIR Correspondent reports, fifty two persons have so far been arrested either on the preventive basis or on the charges of perpetration of violence. On the demand of local administration, 22 additional companies of paramilitary forces have been rushed to Muzaffarnagar.
Around two dozen senior administrative and police officers are constantly camping in the district to keep a close vigil on the situation. Meanwhile, the main opposition party BSP has severely criticized the Samajwadi Party led state government and terming it as a total failure, demanded Presidents's rule in the state.
State ADG, Law and Order, Arun Kumar told reporters at Muzaffarnagar that 26 people have so far lost their lives in the violence.
