Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was earlier stopped by the district police from entering Meerut along with her brother Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday made unscheduled visits to Muzaffarnagar and Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh to meet the families who bore the brunt of alleged “police excesses” following violent protests against the amended Citizenship Act or were affected by the clashes.
Priyanka, who was coming from Muzaffarnagar after meeting the victims, was on Saturday again stopped at the border of Meerut and was handed over a notice about enforcement of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the district. However, she was allowed to visit the victim’s family at one place after she assured the officials that she would comply with the prohibitory orders.
She met the families of several victims at Bhurbaral house in Sai colony in Partapur area. She assured the people assembled there that the Congress would stand be them and would fight for their cause.
Earlier, in Muzaffarnagar too, Priyanka reiterated her party’s stand to support the families of those killed in the protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Uttar Pradesh or were being harassed by police to taking part in the protests.
The Congress general secretary alleged that the UP police were implicating innocent people in the violence during anti-CAA protests.
“I have already apprised UP Governor Anandiben Patel through a memorandum how the police have unleashed a reign of terror in the name of anti-CAA protests by beating up innocent people and putting them in jail,” she said.
While talking to media persons after meeting the victims and their family members, Priyanka said, “We would have had no problem had the police behaved in such manner with people involved in violence but the police are harassing innocents and this will not be tolerated at all.”
On Saturday, Priyanka first met Maulana Asad Raza Hussaini who runs a madarasa.
“The maulana said that the police entered the madarasa and beat up children, causing injuries to severely of them. Even minor children were put in jail. The maulana was also beaten up and his hand was broken,” she said.
Later, Priyanka met the family members of Noora Mohammad, who was killed in the anti-CAA violence.
“I met the 22-year-old widow of the victim, who is 7-month pregnant and has a one-and-half-year-old daughter. I consoled her and assured all support from the Congress,” she said.
The Congress leader also met Ruqaiya Parveen who was also beaten up by police. Parveen’s marriage is scheduled for February 4, 2020. She alleged that the police ransacked her house and destroyed all the items stored for the marriage.
Priyanka was accompanied by senior party leader Imran Masood and Pankaj Mallik.
Last month, Priyanka had visited Bijnor but was stopped from going towards Meerut along with brother Rahul Gandhi. The state capital also witnessed a high drama when Priyanka took pillion ride on a scooty to meet the family members of activist and retired IPS officer SR Darapuri, who was put in the jail for supporting the anti-CAA protest.
Meanwhile, the Congress general secretary has written condolence letters to all the families of those killed during the anti-CAA protests in the state. In her letter to the bereaved families, she has said, “I know very well how it feels to loose the dear ones. You should not feel alone in this situation and don’t lose your confidence. We are with you every time. We will have to march ahead and strengthen our power to seek justice.”
On the other hand, a Congress delegation led by former parliamentarian and party’s national spokesman Rashid Alvi met one of the victim’s family in Firozabad and consoled them. Later Alvi said they would submit a full report on their visit to Congress general secretary.
The visit was kept secret and not even the district Congress president was aware of it.
Altogether, 19 people were killed and over 100 injured in the large-scale violence in UP during the anti-CAA protests last month.
Meanwhile, a scuffle broke out between Congress workers during Priyanka‘s surprise visit to Meerut’s Partapur on Saturday to meet the families of the victims of the violence that broke out during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on December 20.
Two groups, one supporting the CAA and other opposing it clashed with each other in front of Priyanka. However, senior leaders intervened to defuse the situation.