Following the Muzaffarnagar communal clash, the news of a stockpile of arms and ammunition in 32 villages in Uttar Pradesh caused Supreme Court to raise “serious” concern as it sought response of the State Government within a month.
With the court monitoring relief and rehabilitation measures provided by the State in the aftermath of the incident that claimed 63 lives, a PIl filed by a resident alleged that large piles of arms and ammunitions remained stored in villages around Muzaffarnagar which required to be seized. The petition complained against the police and district administration for its lack of action to conduct raids in the said villages and recover the consignment.
A worried bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said, “These are serious allegations. let the UP Government file reply by November 18.” The court fixed the matter for further hearing on November 21.
Giving a status of the probe conducted with regard to complaints lodged separately by members of Hindu and Muslim communities, the State Government filed an affidavit which indicated for the first time that 46 Muslims and 16 Hindus were killed in
the communal violence while 11 Hindus and 57 Muslims were injured.
A total of 243 arrests have been made till date out of which 183 belong to Hindu and 60 belong to Muslim community. In all, 128 cases were registered in the districts of Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Meerut, Baghpat and Saharanpur.
Such a classification by UP Government earned criticism from court. It said, “It is paining us and we are also not happy. No segregation should be made as a death is death. But if there is an allegation then it has to be explained by the Government.”
Regarding a sting operation by a TV channel alleging complicity of the state in the investigation of the case, the state informed about an Enquiry Committee constituted by the Chairman of the UP legislative Assembly to inquire the authenticity of the sting operation, report of which was awaited.
It also told the court that relief and rehabilitation work is being done and it will file further report by the next date of hearing. The Court also issued notice on two other petitions filed by NGOs Anhad and Citizens for Justice and Peace.