BJP workers clashed with the police at Kanth in Moradabad
A large group of BJP workers clashed with the police in Uttar Pradesh today as they were stopped from holding a "Mahapanchayat" or large gathering in Kanth town, which has been tense over a religious dispute.
BJP legislator Sangeet Som, who was accused in the riots in Muzaffarnagar last year, was detained by the police on his way to Kanth. Three party MPs, Kunwar Singh Tanwar, Satyapal Saini and Nepal Singh were also detained when they tried to defy a ban on their planned "Mahapanchayat". 100 other party activists were arrested.
Some 1,000 BJP workers later tried to block a train. When the police tried to disperse them using rubber bullets and tear gas, they retaliated with stones. A District Magistrate was injured. Trains have been diverted in the region.
There is massive police presence in the area and extra forces have been called in from neighbouring districts to check against any flare-up. No outsiders are being allowed into the Kanth area.
A Mahapanchayat around 150 km away in Muzaffarnagar in September last year had fueled riots in which 60 people were killed and 40,000 displaced. Politicians of the BJP, BSP as well as Congress were charged with making incendiary speeches in the aftermath of the killing of two Jat brothers and a Muslim youth.
The state's ruling Samajwadi Party accused the BJP of igniting communal trouble to polarise voters ahead of the national election.
Kanth has been tense over a row over a loudspeaker installed at a religious structure.
About a month ago, the loudspeaker was removed after objections from a minority community. This allegedly triggered sharp protests. BJP protesters had also clashed with policemen two weeks ago.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, singed by criticism of mismanaging the Muzaffarnagar riots and failing to prevent the violence despite signs that were loud and clear, has taken no chances at a time his administration is struggling with a series of rapes and killings.
The BJP protested police action. "Criminals face no action in UP, but BJP leaders who were to hold a peaceful Mahapanchayat were detained," said the party's Shahnawaz Hussain.