Fresh clashes have been reported from violence hit Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts of Uttar Pradesh. Home Ministry has asked the Uttar Pradesh Government to deploy enough forces in rural areas in Muzaffarnagar to contain the violence and sought a report on the situation in the district every 12 hours. The death toll in the violence has gone upto 31.
The Uttar Pradesh Government has ordered a judicial probe to look into the cause of violence. The probe will be conducted by retired Judge of Allahabad High Court, Vishnu Sahai. It has been asked to submit its reports in two months time and will probe the violent incidents from the day violence started till today. Additional Director General Law and Order Arun Kumar said in Lucknow that 103 arrests have been made and cases registered against one thousand people including leaders of Bharat Kisan Union, four BJP MLAs and two former MPs.
At least 40 persons have been named in FIRs for abetting violence in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli and an intensive search operation is on for the arrest of 40 people accused including political leaders. According to Inspector General Special Task Force, 17 FIRs have been registered for abetting violence and 26 arrests have been made.
The Home Ministry has asked seven states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir to be extra vigilant and effectively deal with petty clashes to avert any communal flare-up. Official sources said state governments were warned that such incidents may increase in coming days and are expected to take place in the run up to the 2014 general elections. They were asked to analyse the reasons for such violence and take remedial steps so that in future no petty incident takes communal colour, as witnessed in the past.
The Prime Minister has assured the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh that the Centre will extend all the required assistance to the State in tackling the situation in violence-hit Muzaffarnagar district. Dr Manmohan Singh today spoke to Akhilesh Yadav about the steps being taken to restore peace in the areas which witnessed group clashes. Dr Singh also condemned the violence and expressed grief and shock over the loss of innocent lives.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said, the Uttar Pradesh government must take action against those responsible for the violence in Muzaffarnagar district. He said UPA government has zero tolerance towards incidents of communal violence.
The Congress today accused individuals and groups with vested political interests of stoking violence. Party spokesperson Bhakt Charan Das said those involved must be immediately arrested and strict action taken against them.
The BJP called for intervention by Centre and dismissal of state government. In a statement, Party President Rajnath Singh said, the situation in Muzzaffarnagar is now out of control. He alleged that the track record of Samajwadi Party government in containing communal violence has been dismal.
The BSP also demanded President's rule in Uttar Pradesh and dismissal of the state government in view of communal violence in Muzaffarnagar. BSP chief Mayawati said, the law and order machinery has collapsed in the state.
Demanding firm and strong action to put an end to the violence, the CPI (M) asked the state administration to involve all sections of the people to restore peace and amity. The party alleged that the state government is not showing the required vigilance to curb such incidents promptly.
