Cops use saffron flags in anti-riot drill, anger BJP

ALLAHABAD: BJP activists and other Hindu organisations expressed their outrage over mock rioters waving saffron flags during anti-riot drill at reserve police lines here on Friday, saying it was a deliberate attempt to show Hindus as rioters and terrorists at the behest of Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh.

Allahabad BJP chief Shashi Varshney said the mock drill has hurt Hindu sentiments and that the police's brazen display of partisan behaviour was at the behest of Samajwadi Party leadership. She added that the BJP would take up the issue with the both state and Central governments and demand stern action against erring police officials.

When asked about the saffron flag-waving mock rioters, UP DGP said he was unaware of the mock drill. Allahabad SSP K S Emanuel said that the police had no intention of hurting the sentiments of any community.