Uneasy calm prevailed in the communal violence-hit Western Uttar Pradesh city of Saharanpur on Sunday. Even as dust settled over the area where three persons were killed and 33 severely injured in Saturday’s violence, a war of words erupted. Sources in the BJP claimed that a close aide of Congress leader Imran Masood was among those against whom an FIR has been lodged for instigating violence.
Saharanpur District Magistrate Sandhya Tiwari said, “No untoward incident occurred in the city today [on Sunday]. However, curfew will continue till Monday morning.” She said 38 persons had been arrested till Sunday evening on charges of involvement in the violence.
“An FIR has been lodged against Moharram Ali Pappu for his alleged involvement in instigating the mob to attack the Gurdwara premises,” Saharanpur Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Pandey said.
Saharanpur MP Raghav Lakhanpal (BJP), who was present at the peace committee meeting held on Sunday, alleged that the riots were pre-planned.
The riots were planned in a manner that they would create polarisation between different religious communities before the coming byelections in the area, he said.
“Mr. Masood of the Congress and Moharram Ali Pappu were the ones who collected the crowd and instigated it,” Mr. Lakhanpal alleged.
However, residents of the Qutub Sher police station area denied Mr. Masood’s involvement in the violence.
The MP also blamed the State government and the district administration for not taking appropriate measures to stop the violence.
According to an initial assessment, 22 shops and 15 vehicles had been set ablaze during Saturday's violence.