Mulayam does a volte face on SIMI

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday said he had not made any remarks suggesting a clean chit to SIMI, under scanner after the Mumbai blasts, and said the statement appearing in a section of media was ‘mischievous’.

“The statement appearing in a section of media is mischievous. I have not given any such statement,” he told reporters at Sukhartal, 30km from here adding those found involved in the terror attacks should be punished.

He said the UP govt had gunned down the terrorists involved in Ayodhya attack case within no time but alleged that the radicals had come from Delhi, Punjab and Kashmir — all the Congress ruled states.

To a question on creation of Harit Pradesh, an issue raised by the Rashtriya Lok Dal, he said he was always against creating small states because they come in the way of economic development.

The SP had given a clean chit to SIMI on Thursday saying it was not a terrorist organisation, however, some of its members were involved in the terrorist activities and action should be taken against them.

The CM had also appeared to take a soft stand on the outfit, saying it had not been found to be involved in the Varanasi blasts.