Muzaffarnagar violence toll climbs to 26, UP Governor blames Akhilesh govt.

published on September 8, 2013

Muzaffarnagar is in a state of lockdown. Simmering tensions between communities in the state erupted in full scale violence have claimed 26 lives. With the situation worsening beyond the control of the state police, the Army had to be called in and curfew was imposed in the sensitive areas.

The Army staged flag marches in several places in the district. However, thousands of anti-riot police personnel were deployed to restore the law and order situation.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Governor B.L. Joshi has slammed the Akhilesh Yadav government’s handling of the riot situation in Muzaffarnagar.

While forwarding the state’s report on the situation following the riots to the Centre,  the Governor in his comments has said that the state government failed to act despite being warned earlier. The Centre had sought a report from the state government on the situation.

All entry points to Muzaffarnagar including UP-Uttarakhand borders have been sealed. All outlying villages are being patrolled to maintain calm.

The villages are still volatile. 11 deaths were reported from the district even after the deployment of the Army. While the urban stretches have been brought under control, the villages are still tense. There were reports of violence from neighbouring Meerut as well.

The restive areas are now a fortress with the deployment of 19 companies of PAC, 14 of RAF, 19 of CRPF and 4 of ITBP.

There are 4 IG rank officers, 3 SPs, 18 ASPs and 119 sub-inspectors on duty doing round the clock monitoring of the situation.

Police said 52 persons have been arrested. “As it (violence) is going on in several villages, it is taking time to defuse the situation,” Additional Director General of Police Arun Kumar, who took stock of the situation in the affected areas, said.

Saxena said that adequate force has been deployed in the affected areas and incidents of violence have been reported from Sisauli, Shahpur, Kalapar and Dhaurakala areas of Muzaffarnagar.

At one place, Army had to resort to firing after someone opened fire at them, he said. Asked whether shoot-at-sight orders have been given, the Home Secretary said that directives have been issued to control the situation and for that if necessary firing can be done.

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