Three people were killed and over 20 were injured in the clashes.
A five-member committee set up to look into the communal clashes that had rocked Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur last month has named BJP Member of Parliament Raghav Lakhanpal as a key accused. The report, submitted to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, also blames local police officials for their slow response to the clashes. (
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Three people were killed and over 20 were injured in the clashes; property worth Rs 250 crore was damaged in the violence.
The state government has initiated action against local policemen and also ordered compensation for loss of property.
The committee was headed by Shivpal Yadav, the Chief Minister's uncle and a minister in the state's Samajwadi Party government. The report had earlier named former Congress Member of Legislative Assembly Imran Masood, who was booked in cases of rioting and attempt to murder. (
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Leaders from various political parties got embroiled in a blame game over the report today.
Mr Lakhanpal claimed the report is "part of a political conspiracy". (
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"Just when by-poll dates have been announced, the Samajwadi Party government has pulled this (one) on me," he said. (
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Naresh Aggarwal, senior SP leader, defended the probe report.
"The report makes it clear that the riots took place due to the callous behaviour of the officers on duty. I appeal to the Chief Minister to take strict action against them," said Mr Aggarwal. (
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Union home minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh, when quizzed about the report, said, "It is a report by their own political party. I have nothing to say as I have not even seen the report."
Mayawati, chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party, blamed both the ruling Samajwadi Party government and the BJP for the clashes.
"We do not agree with the probe committee report. Peace and harmony was destroyed after the SP came to power. But after the BJP came to power at the Centre, it has become worse," she said.