Mulayam Singh, Azharuddin detained in UP

MORADABAD: Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Congress MP Mohammad Azharuddin were today detained by Uttar Pradesh police while they were on their way to a violence-hit village in Moradabad where restrictions are in force.

While Yadav was detained on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh by Ghaziabad police, Azharuddin, the Moradabad MP, was picked up by police in Moradabad when he was proceeding towards Asatalpur village where an irate mob indulged in arson and brick-batting, injuring a Deputy Inspector General yesterday.

The mob was protesting alleged police misbehaviour with women in the village.

Police said Yadav was arrested as he was going to the village with his supporters. They said he was picked up as Sec 144 (joining unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapon) is in force there.

Yadav said he was being "illegally" detained by the police while on his way to Moradabad and accused the Mayawati Government of "suppressing the voice" of politicians.