Non-Bailable arrest warrants were today issued by a local court against a BSP MP, two MLAs each of BJP and BSP and 11 other political and community leaders for allegedly inciting communal violence that has claimed the lives of 47 people.
No arrests have been made yet, Police said, but added action will be taken in two days.The warrants against the 16 persons that also included a Congress leader were out on a day when some of the legislators attended the proceedings in the state Assembly.
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 were among the 16 persons against whom warrants were issued, Police said.
They are wanted for violating prohibitory orders and provoking communal tension by making inflammatory speeches at different meetings (mahapanchayats) in this district.
Police said ten police teams have fanned out across the state to arrest those against whom warrants have been issued.
"The incident was a planned one to help one party gain political mileage over the situation," Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said in the UP Assembly, as he hit out at BJP accusing it of vitiating the atmosphere in view of the coming Lok Sabha elections and promised stern action against all those guilty.
The communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas this month claimed 47 lives and displaced over 40,000 people.
"We have arrested three to four politicians. We have collected some evidence, some more evidence is to be collected and very soon more arrests will be made. Whoever is guilty will be arrested in two days....This is subject to investigation," Senior Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar said.
Som said he was ready for arrest and demanded a CBI inquiry into the entire issue. He has been accused of posting a fake video online that instigated tension.
He termed the allegations as "completely baseless and far from the truth," and claimed that the government was getting cases registered against him to appease a particular section of the society.
"I have myself demanded a CBI inquiry into the entire episode and I, along with all the MLAs, am ready for arrest, but the government should act correctly and uphold the truth," Som, who was in the UP Assembly, told reporters in Lucknow.
"I am being accused of instigating the people by giving inflammatory speech...if that is the case, there would be a CD...they should show it," Som, an MLA from Sardhana, said.