Muzaffarnagar riots: Chaos outside UP Assembly,cops fail to arrest BJP leaders

BJP MLAs Sangeet Som and Bhartendu Singh refused to get arrested as their supporters gathered in huge numbers outside the Assembly and prevented police from arresting their leaders.

If found guilty,I am ready for punishment: Azam Khan

The crowd of BJP supporters was led by senior party leader Uma Bharti,who alleged that the UP government was not conducting a fair probe into the Muzaffarnagar violence.

Speaking to mediapersons,the BJP leaders accused the Akhilesh Yadav government of conducting one-sided probe and targeting party leaders. They further pointed that they were assured that there would be no arrest till the probe was over.

Related: Azam responsible for riots,says Bukhari

Meanwhile,the UP police said that the footage of the sting operation on the riots by a television channel was being studied in detail by authorities concerned.

Related: Tales of tragedy unfold in refugee camps

Earlier on Wednesday,arrest warrants were issued against 16 politicians and community leaders including BSP MP Qadir Rana,BJP MLAs Sangeet Som and Bhartendu Singh,BSP MLAs Noor Saleem and Maulana Jameel,Congress leader Saeeduzaman and BKU chief Naresh Tikait,police said.

Action will be taken against them in two days,Senior Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar said.

“We have arrested three to four politicians…we have collected some evidence…some more evidence is to be collected and very soon will be arrested…whoever is guilty will be arrested in two days…this is subject to investigation,” he said.

They are wanted for violating prohibitory orders and provoking communal tension by inflammatory speeches in different meetings (mahapanchayats) in the district,police said.

The communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas claimed 47 lives and displaced over 40,000 people.

(With PTI Inputs)