This Article is From Aug 28, 2014

Riot Accused BJP Minister at Muzaffarnagar Prayer Meeting

Riot Accused BJP Minister at Muzaffarnagar Prayer Meeting

Union Minister of State Sanjeev Baliyan at the prayer meeting in Muzaffarnagar

Malikapura, Muzaffarnagar: There is tight security in Malikapura village of Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh, where a prayer meeting was held at the home of two young Jat men who were murdered by a Muslim mob one year ago, leading to deadly riots in the area that left 65 people dead and thousands homeless.

  1. Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Sanjeev Baliyan attended the prayer meeting. "This Jat family is like my own," said the minister who is a local BJP leader of the area and a riot-accused.

  2. There is tension in the area and UP administration officials said they fear trouble if anyone starts raising slogans. The Akhilesh Yadav government in UP is taking no chances and massive security is in place.

  3. Only small vehicles were allowed into the village from the main gate that leads into Malikapura. Big or open vehicles like tractors are being allowed entry only from the highway. All vehicles are being checked.

  4. The Rapid Action Force has also been deployed to assist the local police in case of trouble.

  5. Cousins Sachin and Gaurav were killed on August 27 last year, soon after they allegedly murdered a young Muslim man named Shahnawaz from a neighbouring village. Shahnawaz had allegedly harassed their sister.

  6. Prayers will also be held in Shahnawaz's Kawal village. His father Mohammad Salim said he is still waiting for action on the first information report he registered on his son's death.

  7. The three murders led to deadly rioting that spread from village to village. Politicians from across parties have been accused of fanning the violence.

  8. More than 50,000 people were made homeless by the riots as they fled their villages in fear. In a bitterly cold winter last year, many spent months in poorly equipped relief camps.

  9. Many have opted not to return to their homes at all and have accepted resettlement as tension and fear still linger in this part of Western UP a year after the riots.

  10. The Samajwadi Party government led by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav came in for massive criticism for its handling of the communal violence and its aftermath.  



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