BJP MP makes U-turn on Kairana migration, says it's not a communal issue

Muzaffarnagar, Jun 14: Making a U-turn, BJP MP Hukum Singh today said the "migration" of Hindus from Kairana in western Uttar Pradesh was "not communal" in nature but had more to do with the law and order situation even as he claimed the number of families that had to flee can go up to 400-500.

"It is not about communal incidents... It is not about Hindus or Muslims," the Kairana MP told reporters here, adding it has more to do with the law and order situation. "The list (of those who had to flee) will go on further, I believe. It can go up to 400-500.

There is not one accused (who forced people to migrate), they are here in dozens," Singh said. He had earlier said that from the names of the accused, "one can grasp who are these people", hinting at involvement of members of the Muslim community.

The MP had earlier released a list of 346 families who had been forced to flee the town, which has 85 per cent Muslim population. Kairana is in Shamli district which witnessed communal riots in 2013.

Today, Singh released another list of 63 Hindu families and claimed that they had to flee Kandhla town in Shamli district. "These Hindu families have left under duress," he claimed.

When asked that some Muslim families too have left the area, he said, "Others have gone for their (own) purposes." Shamli District Magistrate Sujeet Kumar, however, ruled out any communal and law and order issues behind some people leaving the area.

"Till now we have investigated the list of 119 families. Around 10-15 families, mentioned in the list, still live in Kairana and around 68 families have migrated from the area 10-15 years ago. They moved out because of economic reasons. Till now, we have not found any case where there has been a law and order problem.

"There is no communal activity, the Karaina town has always been peaceful... During Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, the area remained peaceful, and even during Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013, people here sent a strong message of brotherhood," Kumar said.

Top BJP leaders, who were in Allahabad for the two-day national executive meeting, raked up the issue of alleged migration of Hindus from Kairana to attack the Samajwadi Party government in the state ahead of the Assembly election to be held early next year.

PTI