Kasganj: Yogi breaks silence, assures action against guilty

Lucknow, January 30

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today broke silence on Kasganj violence promising action against those involved even as politics brewed over the clashes with Union Minister Giriraj Singh claiming that media would have chosen a “different” line if the killed youth was from the minority community.

Another BJP hardliner Vinay Katiyar, known for his controversial utterances, also waded in the row saying there were some “miscreants who supported Pakistan” who could go to any extent to defy the Tricolour. “Our government is committed to providing security to each and every citizen. Anarchy has no place in the state,” Adityanath said. He warned of “strict action” against the perpetrators of violence.

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Meanwhile, Giriraj Singh said the violence was pre-planned. “Had the deceased been Mohammad Ismaayil instead of Chandan Gupta, there would be a different debate in the media... We have to change this mindset,” he said. Giriraj also referred to Bareilly District Magistrate Raghvendra Vikram Singh’s comment on Facebook that appeared to blame right-wing groups for provoking communal clashes. “I have come to know that a bureaucrat has made some remarks on why some are raising ‘Pakistan Murdabad’ slogans. I want to ask why not raise such slogans. We say so as Pakistan kills our soldiers and is involved in spreading cross-border terrorism,” he said.

The DM’s now-deleted post said a “strange trend” that had begun of late was to visit Muslim majority areas and raise slogans against Pakistan. 

BJP MP Vinay Katiyar said those who “supported Pakistan” were behind the violence. Stray incidents of violence were reported from the town that continued to be tense with a heavy deployment of RAF and PAC personnel. — PTI

Centre seeks report ON VIOLENCE

• The Home Ministry has asked the UP government to send a detailed report on the communal clashes in Kasganj
• The MHA has asked the state government to send a comprehensive report about the violence that started last Friday and the steps taken to restore peace
• The state government has also been asked to provide details about the steps taken to punish those involved in the violence. TNS

Eidgah wall damaged; arms recovered 

• Even as life limped back to normal in Kasganj, some miscreants tried to create trouble by damaging a dome-like structure on the wall of an Eidgah, located in Amanpur, about 25 km from the district headquarters
• The police and administration controlled the situation immediately, District Magistrate RP Singh said
• The police will intensify motorcycle patrolling in the city, Aligarh IGP Sanjeev Gupta said, adding that he, too, was keeping a close watch on the situation
• “Arms and ammunition has been recovered. We are conducting raids at the places of identified accused,” the UP Police said