Can't push beyond a point: Sushilkumar Shinde on state law and order scene

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today made it clear that the Centre cannot "push beyond a point" the law and order issue of a state as it was the prerogative of the state government.

Asked about the clarification sought by the Centre from Uttar Pradesh government on the Muzaffarnagar riots which remained unanswered, he said, "We can ask till a time. We cannot push beyond a point as law and order is a state subject."

The Centre's queries included reasons behind the delayed response from the state police and release of youths without proper verification.

Asked to comment on reports that Pakistan-based Lashker-e -Taiba (LeT) had planned the riots, Shinde said there was no such input but Intelligence agencies had warned of a communal flare up in the area.

"There was no input about Lasker-e-Taiba. However, we had inputs that such a 'gadbadi' (violence) is supposed to take place," he said.