Lok Sabha adjourned over riot-hit Bareilly issue

New Delhi, Mar 15 (ANI): The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned till 2 p.m. on Monday following uproar created by political parties belonging to the Opposition over the issue of Bareilly riots.

Earlier on Sunday, a three-member panel appointed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to inspect the situation in riot-hit Bareilly was prevented from entering the city by the local administration.

Noted animal-rights activist and Aonla MP Maneka Gandhi, who headed the three-member panel appointed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was intercepted by the police personnel in Ghaziabad on Sunday and taken to Badaun under full security.

Bareilly has been tense for several days following the release of a cleric, who was arrested on charges of inciting clashes. Mobs torched about 20 shops in the old Bareilly area on Saturday though curfew was in force in most parts of the city affected by communal violence. The authorities have rushed additional forces to the city.

The Uttar Pradesh Government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions there, and provided the police with a helicopter to monitor trouble-hit areas. Last Monday (March 8), the Uttar Pradesh Police took Maulana Khan, the leader of Ittehad-e-Millat Conference into its custody. But later released him on Thursday (March 11) evening.

Bajrang Dal criticising his release turned outraged following, which there was a violent backlash and curfew was imposed in the areas of the city. (ANI)