Security beefed up, Section 144 imposed; 220 arrested so far
Simmering tension continued on the second day in Kanth Village of Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh. The entire area remained shut a day after a violent clash between BJP workers and police after the district administration prevented the party from holding a mahapanchayat against the removal of loudspeakers from a temple.
A curfew-like situation prevailed in the region on Saturday. Police said Section 144 had been imposed and security beefed up to thwart any possible attempt to vitiate the atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Union Government sought a report from Uttar Pradesh about the violence in Kanth.
“A report has been sought from the UP Government on the entire incident. I will be in a position to say anything only after the report is received,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.
Following Friday’s violence, 220 people have been arrested. Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharamvir on Saturday reportedly blamed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the tense atmosphere in the district. However, villagers held the administration responsible for letting things go beyond its control.
The SSP, while talking to The Pioneer, said that a huge police force from more than two dozen districts along with Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and reserve forces have been deployed to avert any untoward incident. Police have been ordered to take strict action against those trying to disturb the communal harmony.
Dharamvir alleged that BJP MP Sarvesh Singh wanted to polarise the community ahead of the byelections to be held in the State. Meanwhile, BJP MlA Sangeet Som said that he was being targeted in the entire incident. He added that it was the State administration who objected to the use of loudspeakers in the temple. On the other side, people of both communities blamed district authorities for causing communal tension in the region.
“Though tension was brewing between the two communities over the use of loudspeakers in temple since the beginning of year, the district administration did not initiate any steps to resolve the issue amicably. Instead they forcibly removed the loudspeakers against wishes of villagers. Authorities cracked down on the community again when mahapanchayat (public meet) was called,” said Vijay Singh, a local resident of Naya Gaon.
However, another local of Kanth area, Munauwar Ali claimed that the district administration had decided to remove the loudspeakers with the consent of villagers but matter turned communal. Both the communities have been living together peacefully for years. But after the recent incident, it seems the situation would never be same again in future, he added.
Meanwhile, the four Bharatiya Janata Party leaders --Amroha MP Kanwar Singh Tanwar, Rampur MP Nepal Singh and Sambhal MP Satyal Saini, along with Sardhana legislator Sangeet Som - who were detained on Friday -- have been released. BJP State president laxmikant Bajpayi has constituted a five-member team to look into the Kanth incident. BJP legislator Suresh Khanna will head the team and submit a report to the State unit.
However, another local of Kanth area, Munauwar Ali said that the district administration had decided to remove the loudspeakers with proper consent of villagers but matter turned communal. The area had never witnessed tension and both communities were living peacefully, but after the recent incident, it seems that communities will not come together in future.