Saharanpur: Political Blame Game Begins Over Clashes, 38 Arrested

The clashes broke out in the wee hours yesterday after members of the Sikh community began construction on a disputed piece of land in the Kutubsher area on Friday evening, which was opposed by local Muslims.

Both sides indulged in arson and opened fire. Police had to fire rubber bullets to rein in the rampaging mobs.

"A peace committee meeting will be held in the afternoon... Curfew situation will be reviewed after that," Sahanranpur District Magistrate Sandhya Tiwari had said earlier in the day.

Around 600 paramilitary personnel have been sent to the area. Unmanned aerial vehicles have also been deployed to keep a close watch on the situation. (Also Read: Home Minister Asks UP Chief Minister to Ensure Communal Harmony)

Political parties, meanwhile, blamed each other for the violence. "In UP, there is no place for communalism, anti-social elements... If opposition tries to politicise this, then law will take its own course," said Rajendra Chaudhary, the spokesperson of the ruling Samajwadi Party.

"Akhilesh's government has failed to run a good government... They have developed a habit of blaming BJP," retorted the party's Shahnawaz Hussain.

The disagreement over the land began over four years back. Sikhs living in the area wanted to extend the area of their gurudwara. But Muslims, living just 200 metres away from the spot, claimed a mosque was situated at the site 10 years ago.

The case reached the local court which recently ruled in favour of the Sikhs. Members of the Muslim community then moved the Allahabad High Court against the verdict, but later withdrew the case.

"This morning, we saw a mob of thousands just landing up out of nowhere. They fired at us and even pelted stones," said Maninder Bagga, a local Sikh, on Saturday.

But Muslims claim that some of them had just gone to talk to the Sikhs on Saturday morning when they were allegedly attacked.