PM, Sonia & Rahul visit Muzaffarnagar, security beefed up

Muzaffarnagar, Sept 16: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi visited the riot-hit areas here on Monday. They met those affected in the riots and Singh said the guilty will be punished.

Forty-seven people were killed while over 40,000 people were rendered homeless by the riots continuing over weeks. The ruling Samajwadi Party faced flak from various quarters for failing to curb the violence, which also claimed lives of two journalists.

On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav visited the area but faced a strong protest from the local people who showed him black flags.

CM Akhiles Yadav faced a strong protest during his visit to the riot-hit areas

Security was beefed up ahead of the high-profile visit of the prime minister and the two top Congress leaders. Local police sources said a large security force had already been deployed in the Muzaffarnagar-Shamli area. Senior officers were stationed in Muzaffarnagar and over 30 companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary and three teams of the Anti-Terror Squad were also deployed.

State Congress president Nirmal Khatri, meanwhile, slammed the SP government for failing to control the violence and also not been able to supply relief to the affected people. He accused the SP of acting hand-in-glove with the BJP in instigating the communal violence.

Meanwhile, fireworks over the riots were expected in the UP state assembly ssession which was set to begin on Monday. The Opposition BSP will raise issues like floods and power crisis in the state besides the riots, party sources said.

In Bassi Kalan

Congress President Sonia Gandhi interacts with families of riot victims at Bassi Kalan relief camp in Muzaffarnagar on Monday.

In Bassi Kalan

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi interacts with families of riot victims at Bassi Kalan relief camp in Muzaffarnagar on Monday.

In Barwala

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi interact with locals at Barwala in Muzaffarnagar on Monday.

In Barwala

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi interact with locals at Barwala in Muzaffarnagar on Monday

In Bassi Kalan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi interact with families of riot victims at Bassi Kalan relief camp in Muzaffarnagar on Monday.

In Bassi Kalan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi interact with families of riot victims at Bassi Kalan relief camp in Muzaffarnagar on Monday.

In Muzaffarnagar

UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav addresses a press conference in Muzaffarnagar on Sunday.

In Muzaffarnagar

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav interacts with a victim's family during his visit to the riot-hit Muzaffarnagar on Sunday

In Muzaffarnagar

Security personnel keep vigil during the relaxed hours of curfew, in Muzaffarnagar on Sunday.

In Muzaffarnagar

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav visits riot-hit Muzaffarnagar on Sunday to meet victims and their families

In Muzaffarnagar

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav meeting the family member of a victim of communal violence in Muzaffarnagar on Sunday.

In Muzaffarnagar

IAF pilots inspect a spot for landing of helicopters in riot-hit Muzaffarnagar on Saturday ahead of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi's expected visits.

OneIndia News