People's Democracy

Communal Violence In Aligarh

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statements on April 11, 2006.

THE situation in Aligarh after the communal violence erupted a week ago continues to cause concern. Eight people have died in the violence and the city continues to be under curfew. The trouble began at a spot which had a past history and if the police and district authorities had firmly intervened, the violence would not have been spread by interested forces. Even after the removal of the key officials and the induction of new ones, the situation has still not been brought fully under control. Firm action needs to be taken against those who have perpetrated or instigated the violence.

The role of the police at various levels needs to be investigated by a high level judicial enquiry.  In one incident, a person, Gulab Khan of Bhojpura was murdered while going to work.  The local police officer got his illiterate widow to put her thumb impression on blank papers and then it was stated that he was killed due to enemity over some money matter. This was a clear case of a communal killing which was sought to be covered up.

The Polit Bureau expresses its heartfelt sympathy to all those who have lost their family members in the violence.

In the recent period a number of incidents of communal provocation and violence have occurred in Uttar Pradesh. The communal riot in Mau being one of the major ones. The UP state government has not taken these incidents seriously and the administration has been lax in responding firmly to communal activities. The Mulayam Singh government should immediately take steps to check the activities of the communal forces bent upon disturbing peace and harmony.