NEW DELHI, 20 October 2005 — A lawmaker of Uttar Pardesh is being hunted by the state police for his alleged role in inciting communal passion in Mau district which claimed nine lives, sources said. Police say Uttar Pradesh state independent legislator Mukhtar Ansari triggered several days of violence last week by shooting at a Hindu religious procession, killing one man.
“The violence ... subsequently spread like wildfire,” a state official said yesterday. Dozens were injured in the clashes in the town of Mau, prompting authorities to impose a curfew and shoot-on-site orders. Ansari supports Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav’s alliance in the state assembly, but Yadav ordered police to act. “He should be taken into custody any time,” state home office chief Alok Sinha said, adding the situation in Mau was “fast returning to normal”. The curfew was lifted for a few hours yesterday to allow people to buy supplies and seek treatment for any injuries.
However, an uneasy calm prevailed in the town, with securitymen patrolling the streets and lanes to keep a tight grip on the situation. Sources said situation in the neighboring districts of Ballia, Ghazipur, Deoria and Azamgarh was also peaceful and no untoward incident had been reported from there.
The crackdown on anti-social elements continued with police raids, officials said adding that over 500 people had been arrested in this connection so far. Train services to and from Mau remained suspended, the sources said, adding that no decision had been taken yet on resumption of the services.
