High security in Agra after infammatory speech at condolence meeting of slain VHP leader

 Authorities have stepped up security in Agra which has been gripped by tension following the murder of a local VHP leader four days ago.

Additional companies of police and Rapid Action Force teams have been deployed in Mantola and Nai ki Mandi areas, official sources said. BJP, VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders allegedly made inflammatory speeches yesterday at a condolence meeting for 50-year-old Arun Mahaur, VHP's city vice president who was shot dead while returning from a temple Thursday morning.

A close vigil is being kept on the activities of BJP leaders as well as members of other saffron outfits like Bajrang Dal, the sources said. After the district authorities refused permission for a condolence meeting in Mantola area at the residence of Mahaur, the BJP shifted the venue to Jaipur House colony, Ramlila ground where Sadhvi Prachi, Union minister of state for HRD Ram Shankar Katheria along with local MLAs of the party were present.
Police said the accused in the murder case has already been arrested.

According to The Indian Express, many Hindu leaders gave inflammatory speeches where Muslims where called traitors and demons. Local BJP MLA said that elections are coming and the community has to show its strength. The report also mentions BHP General Secretary Surendra Jain saying, " Don't convert Agra to Muzzafarnagar'.  Union Minister Katheria  said that they have to launch a movement, have to make themselves strong so that similar incidents don't happen anymore. He said that the fact that he has become a Minister will not deter him from being part of the movement. 

Uttar Pradesh has seen several communal incidents in last couple of years including the Dadri lynching incident, which shook the collective conscience of the nation. 

With PTI inputs