AAP slams UP govt over Saharanpur violence

In a statement, Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) leader and senior Supreme Court advocate HS Phoolka said: " The Uttar Pradesh Police and the state government remained mute spectators and failed to save the life and property of innocent citizens in Saharanpur. "

"The reasons being given by the police for its inaction is that it was outnumbered by the rioters, and the force was not sufficient. This justification is not acceptable at all.  It is a common excuse, given by the police in every riot, to cover up their inaction," he said.

He said stringent action should be taken against the SP of Saharanpur for having failed in his duty to prevent the unjustified violence from taking place.

The AAP leader said: "It is the duty and responsibility of the government of the day to protect the life and property of every citizen.  Unfortunately in the recent past the communal tension has increased, and  a number of cases of communal violence and rioting have occurred."

"The central government should realize its responsibility and should take up and pass the Bill against Communal Violence without any further delay," Phoolka said.

Curfew was imposed in  Saharanpur following a clash that broke out between two groups over a plot of Gurudwara on Saturday, police said.

According sources, the situation went out of control as members from both the communities started pelting stones at each other and set several shops and vehicles on fire.

Heavy contingent of police force, led by senior officials, reached the spot to bring the situation under control. The police used tear gas shells to quell the irate mob from both the sides. Later, Section 144 had been imposed in the city.

Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were deployed.

Reports said a controversial land, adjacent to Gurudwara, was seized by another community that hurt the sentiment of people from the other group. The differences further worsened after a local court delivered its verdict in favour of one particular community upsetting the other.