Curfew in Saharanpur following communal clash, 2 dead and 17 injured
New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh asked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to ensure communal harmony in the state in the wake of violence in Saharanpur and offered all help to contain the situation.
Singh telephoned Yadav on Saturday and expressed his concern over the violent clashes that broke out between two communities in the Western UP town and asked the Chief Minister to take all possible steps to ensure peace in the state, particularly in Saharanpur, official sources said.
Around 600 para military force personnel have been sent to Uttar Pradesh by the Central government to maintain law and order situation in the state.
The decision to sent the para military forces was taken after Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, official sources said.
The Home Minister, who is personally monitoring the situation in Uttar Pradesh, also conveyed to the Chief Minister that the Central government would provide all assistance, including paramilitary forces, to the state government to maintain law and order.
Two persons were today killed and at least 17 others injured as violent clashes broke out between two communities over a land dispute in this western Uttar Pradesh district with mobs indulging in brick batting and arson, prompting authorities to clamp curfew.
Tension prevailed in the district and a large contingent of security personnel including those of police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed in the area and paramilitary forces have also been called.
Saharanpur is nearly 170 km from national capital Delhi and 560 km from state capital Lucknow.
Meanwhile, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi called for an end to the "politics of hatred" in the country as communal tension flared up in Uttar Pradesh while his party accused BJP of carrying out "pre-planned communal polarisation".
"I am deeply saddened to hear of clashes in Saharanpur. Violence, divisiveness and hatred have no place in our country. This politics of hatred must end. I appeal to every one to remain calm and refrain from fanning communal passions," Gandhi said in a statement.
Security men patrol a street as brick-bats and bikes are lying on the road after violent clashes between two communities over a land dispute in Saharanpur (Photo: PTI)
Congress hit out at BJP over the clashes in UP with party spokesperson Anand Sharma saying, "There is an attempt of communal polarisation in the country in a pre-planned manner. BJP was saying different things during the election campaign, but they brought communal politics in a very subtle way. Now, it is brazen.
"In the little over two months that they have been in power, the country has seen flare-ups, tensions, destruction of places of worship, not only in UP but in different parts of the country. The right has now assumed a threatening posture, which militates against our composite culture and secular fabric."
Stating that "religion cannot be used to create polarisation", Sharma said that Congress does not promote communal politics and respects all religions.
UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav directed senior state home department officials to handle with a firm hand the situation in Saharanpur and in Moradabad, where Congress, BJP and VHP had planned political meetings.
Shops in flames during violent clashes between two communities over a land dispute in Saharanpur (Photo: PTI)
Sharma, meanwhile, defended Congress's decision to hold a 'peace march' in the UP.
Congress leaders Madhusudan Mistry and Nagma were detained in Ghaziabad when they were on their way to Moradabad to take part in the march.
Authorities had imposed prohibitory orders in Moradabad on Friday to prevent any untoward incidents in the area with VHP, BJP and Congress having planned marches in Kanth town on Saturday.
On July 4, clashes had erupted between BJP workers and police in Kanth over a mahapanchayat called by the party to protest against the removal of a loudspeaker from a temple.
Asked whether it was BJP's game plan to bring President's Rule in UP, Sharma said, "I can't speak for them as to what their conspiracy is. I can only comment on what is apparent on the surface."
To a question on whether the Narendra Modi government was doing a U-turn on Pakistan by sending representatives to hold talks with the neighbouring country even after two ceasefire violations, Sharma said, "This government and Modi, in particular, were always rabble-rousers.
"Now we have to hear from him as to what would be his diplomacy and approach. We have not heard much of it except the invitation that he sent to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and leaders of all SAARC countries," he said.
When the previous UPA government was in office, BJP and Modi used to claim it was weak and timid whenever there was any ceasefire violation, Sharma reminded while asking the government to take steps to prevent such incidents.
