Muzaffarnagar Riots: 26 Killed, Army takes Control

Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh remains tense for the third consecutive day, even as the Army has been called in to restore normalcy. The communal riots in the area has claimed 26 lives so far. Around 50 people have been injured. A stringer of IBN Live was among the dead. Another police photographer was also killed. According to the top police brass, some political leaders in panchayat meetings, gave inflammatory speeches to trigger communal tension.

Curfew has been imposed in Civil Lines, Kotwali and Nai Mandi areas. The army has staged a flag march in the affected area. Around 12,000 security personnel have been deployed so far. The tension began on August 27 in Kaval village over a molestation incident. The violence spread to other areas very fast.

The Samajwadi Party government led by Akhilesh Yadav, has completely failed to contain the communal riots in Uttar Pradesh in the last one year. Over 150 people have lost their lives in 2012-13 in communal clashes in various places. The CM has ordered a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Rajesh Verma’s family will get Rs 15 lakh. A probe has been ordered into the Muzaffarnagar riots.