Muzaffarnagar riots: Special probe; NSA against BJP legislator

The Uttar Pradesh government Tuesday formed a special investigation cell to probe the Muzaffarnagar riots and also slapped the National Security Act (NSA) on jailed BJP legislator from Sardhana, Sangeet Som.

A home department official said the cell, to be headed by a superintendent of police-level official, will comprise specialised team of investigators.

The team will probe all the 106 cases registered during and after the riots that left 48 dead and rendered more than 43,000 people homeless.

The state government also slapped NSA on Som. Inspector general of police (law and order) R.K. Vishwakarma told IANS two more cases have been registered against the legislator and he has been booked under sections 153 A, 420, 120 B and 66 A of the IT Act.

Som is accused of spreading a fake video which showed a mob lynching people. The state government says the video was of a Pakistan incident that happened a few years back. Som, lodged in the Orai jail, has denied the allegation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Akhilesh Yadav government of falsely implicating its party leaders and legislators in the Muzaffarnagar riots.

BJP legislator Suresh Rana and Bahujan Samaj Party leader Noor Saleem Rana, arrested for their alleged involvement in inciting communal violence in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas, were granted bail by a court.