The first anniversary of two youths killed in Kawal village in Muzaffarnagar after which riots broke out last year, passed of peacefully amidst tight security arrangements on Thursday.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Sanjeev Baliyan, was among the VVIPs and over 1,000 more people attended the prayer meeting in Muzaffarnagar. Bharatiya Kisan Union chief Naresh Tikait was also present where the family of the boys— Gaurav and Sachin—organised religious ‘havan’ at Nagla Mador village near Kawal, the epic centre of the riots. On the other hand in Kawal village the family members and relatives of another deceased, Shahnawaz, also performed rituals.
Shahnawaz’s father Mohammad Salim said he is still waiting for action on the FIR he registered on his son’s death. The Union Minister claimed that the Gaurav and Sachin were like his family members so he attended their condolence function.
District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma, who was camping at the spot, said the ceremony passed off peacefully. He further said that the situation in the entire district was peaceful with no untoward incident. District authorities have deployed 20 companies of para-military forces around 500 other policemen have been deployed in the district for this anniversary. Officials said only small vehicles were allowed into the village of the two cousins from the main gate. All vehicles are being checked.
The Rapid Action Force has also been deployed to assist the local police in case of trouble. Muzaffarnagar riots claimed 68 lives and rendered more than 50,000 homeless in Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and other adjoining districts last year. Two cousins were killed soon after they allegedly murdered a young Muslim man named Shahnawaz from a neighbouring village. Shahnawaz had allegedly harassed their sister. The three murders led to deadly rioting that spread from village to village. Politicians from all parties have been accused of fanning the violence. M It may be mentioned that Muzaffarnagar district authorities are also holding a ‘ Communal harmony’ week since Wednesday to ensure that anniversary would passed off peacefully. The function comprises of cultural and sports events. last evening a candle light processions was brought out in the city.