The Prime Minister has said that the Centre will extend all help to Uttar Pradesh government so that those displaced by group clashes in Muzaffarnagar district could return to their homes. Describing the group clashes a very tragic incident, Dr Manmohan Singh said perpetrators of violence will be given strict punishment. The Prime Minister was talking to media persons after visiting violence-affected Bassi Kalan in Muzaffarnagar district today. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who are accompanying the Prime Minister, interacted with a number of people there. Minister of State for Home RPN Singh and State Governor BL Joshi are accompanying the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister had earlier condemned the violence and expressed deep anguish for the loss of life. He also sanctioned 2 lakh rupees each for the next of kin of those killed and 50 thousand each for the seriously injured from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav visited the violence affected areas yesterday. Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said that one family member of those killed would be given a government job. He assured the people that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the disturbances. The Chief Minister has already sanctioned 10 lakh rupees of relief for the families of those killed.

Meanwhile, the situation in the violence affected areas are returning to normal. The curfew relaxation in the city areas of Muzaffarnagar continues to the seventh day today. While day curfew has been lifted, it will continue during the night. People are out of their houses performing routine work during the curfew relaxation period. Schools and colleges reopened today after a week.

IG Law and Order RK Vishwakarma told our Lucknow correspondent that 188 persons have been arrested in connection with the 66 cases filed. 11,000 preventive arrests have also been made.

The monsoon session of the State Legislature is also beginning today. The Speaker of the Assembly Mata Prasad Pandey has sought cooperation of the opposition parties for the smooth running of the House. The session is likely to be a stormy with opposition parties all set to corner the state government on the Muzaffarnagar violence. The state BJP president Laxmi Kant Bajpai told reporters in Lucknow that they will raise the issue of Muzaffarnagar clashes in the Assembly. Leaders of other opposition parties also said they would vociferously raise the issue in both the Houses.