Muzaffarnagar violence: India politicians face arrest over riots
The riots in Muzaffarnagar have been described as the worst in India in a decade
An
Indian court has ordered the arrest of 16 politicians and community
leaders for inciting deadly religious violence in the northern state of
Uttar Pradesh.
The politicians - from India's ruling Congress party, the
main opposition BJP and other regional parties - are among 69 people
wanted over the riots.
Nearly 50 people died in the Hindu-Muslim clashes which erupted on 7 September in the town of Muzaffarnagar.
The riots have been described as the worst in India in a decade.
Thousands of people fled their homes in the violence which
was sparked by the killing of three men who had objected to the
harassment of a young woman.
The wanted politicians, some of whom are members of the state
assembly, and community leaders are accused of instigating violence
through "inflammatory speeches" during the riots, police say.
"The court in Muzaffarnagar today ordered their arrest after
we registered cases against 69 people who include leaders from some
political parties," AFP news agency quoted state police spokesman Manoj
Jha as saying.
At least two of the accused politicians appeared on Indian
television channels on Wednesday and denied the charges against them.
Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, last saw
Hindu-Muslim riots in 1992 after the demolition of the Babri mosque in
Ayodhya by hardline Hindus.
Correspondents say some political parties have accused each
other of trying to polarise the communities along religious lines ahead
of next year's general elections.
On Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited some of the
victims who have sought shelter in makeshift camps and promised that
those behind the riots would be punished.
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