Expose role of political figures in Muzaffarnagar riots: Congress

LUCKNOW: Terming the Muzaffarnagar riots a blot on Samajwadi Party regime, Congress today sought to know through a white paper in Assembly that how some political figures "fuelled" communal violence in the district, and what action has been taken against them by the government.

"The government should issue a white paper and tell about the involvement and roles of political figures in these riots. It should also clarify what action has been taken against them," Congress spokesperson Dwijendra Tripathi said.

He claimed that an intelligence report has found involvement of a senior SP leader in the riots.

Tripathi said heart-rending realities came out in the visits of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to the affected areas, and the riots are a blot on state government.

"Several innocent people were killed and many became homeless. People have a right to know how the riots broke out, as well as the quantum of economic damage," Tripathi said, alleging that despite intelligence reports, government failed to check the riots.

He claimed that over 40,000 people became homeless in the violence and even journalists were not spared.

The Congress spokesperson alleged that BJP and Samajwadi Party are still engaged in political blame-game and the government has not yet accepted its failure in checking the riots.