Akhilesh Yadav faces protests in Muzaffarnagar; UP govt suspends senior cop

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Under attack from opposition parties and minority leaders over violence in Muzaffarnagar, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday visited the riot-hit district where he was greeted with black flags and slogan shouting from villagers.

Yadav first visited Kawal village, where three people were killed on August 27 over an eveteasing incident after which tension has been running high in the district.

Waving black flags, the villagers shouted slogans against the "failure" of the administration in controlling the violence that has claimed 47 lives. The villagers also alleged that the chief minister did not receive a memorandum from them and only met 'outsiders'.

"The incident was saddening ... not only for those who lost their young sons but for us also. We have already appealed for peace to everyone and my government will take strict action to deal with those creating trouble", Akhilesh told reporters.

Later, the chief minister left for Malikpura and Kandhla to meet family members of victims.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister's visit comes a day before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's scheduled visit to the district for an on-the-spot assessment in the riot-hit area and commencement of the monsoon session of the state assembly.

The Prime Minister is expected to discuss the situation with Akhilesh.

Opposition parties are likely to put the government in the dock on the issue in the state assembly.

The Akhilesh Yadav government has been facing flak over the communal violence in Muzzafarnagar with opposition parties accusing it of trying to polarize voters.

SSP posted in Muzaffarnagar during riots suspended

Facing heat over the violence in Muzaffarnagar, the UP government on Sunday suspended and ordered departmental action against the then SSP, Muzaffarnagar, Subhash Chandra Dubey for allegedly failing to control communal incidents in the district.

"A departmental inquiry has been ordered against Dubey besides suspending him due to his failure in timely controlling communal incidents in Muzaffarnagar", a home department release issued here said.

Dubey was earlier transferred on September 9 and attached to the DGP office and Praveen Kumar was posted as SSP Muzaffarnagar.DIG range Saharanpur DC Mishra was also transferred with Dubey and attached to DG office.