Muzaffarnagar riots
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh ADG (law and order) Arun Kumar, who oversaw security arrangements in Muzaffarnagar after communal riots erupted, has sought the state government’s permission to go on deputation at the Centre.
Kumar’s move has come amid reports of alleged political interference in police functioning during the riots. A total of 47 people were killed in the communal violence. He has also gone on leave and is said to have gone out of the state on a personal visit.
Kumar, who was in charge of law and order in Muzaffarnagar after violence erupted in the district, has moved an application seeking permission from the government to go on central deputation, a senior official in the home department said.
The government will seek opinion of the state DGP on Kumar’s plea, the official said. “Arun Kumar is on leave and has gone out of the state on a personal visit and is expected to be back on Sunday,” sources in the police department said, adding that IG (law and order) RK Vishwakarma has been given Kumar’s charge.
Kumar had camped in Muzaffarnagar during the riots to monitor the situation. He is also heading the probe into the violence.
‘Need to work on law and order’
Meanwhile, facing flak over law and order situation after Muzaffarnagar riots, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday the situation had to be improved to bring Uttar Pradesh on the path of all round development. “Very soon, Uttar Pradesh would be among the states which are being discussed for development,” Akhilesh said, winding up a discussion in the state Assembly on the supplementary budget totalling Rs 7,112.39 crore.
Realizing that a lot of damage has been caused because of Muzaffarnagar clashes, the chief minister said “as far as law and order is concerned … there is a need to continuously work in this direction … if the image gets sullied entrepreneurs would not come forward to invest here”.
Faced with continued attacks by opposition parties over dozens of minor and major riots, including Muzaffarnagar, taking place during the Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh tried to counter the claims that law and order situation was better during the previous Mayawati government. “This is not what I am saying … this is what the figures of Union Home ministry says … maximum riots took place in the state in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009”, he said. (IANS)