LUCKNOW, 18 October 2005 — Claiming that the situation in the riot-affected Mau town was returning to normal, Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav yesterday announced a three-member committee to probe into circumstances that led to the communal violence.
The committee, headed by Neera Yadav, state Revenue Board chairperson, would also look into the role of district officials and public representatives. At a hurriedly called news conference, Mulayam said that the committee would submit its report within three weeks. The names of the other two members of the committee would be announced shortly.
The toll in communal clashes in Mau was seven, while 36 people, including eight policemen had been injured, Mulayam told reporters. Police had arrested 252 people in connection with the riots, he added.
The state government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 200,000 each to the families of those killed and Rs. 25,000 to the injured.
Earlier in the day, a seven-member Bharatiya Janata Party delegation, led by National Vice-President Kalyan Singh met UP Gov. T.V. Rajeshwar and urged him to look into the matter.
BJP state President Kesri Nath Tripathi, who was a part of the delegation, told reporters that they had apprised the governor of the situation prevailing in Mau and he had promised to look into the matter.
Apart from the dismissal of the UP government and handing over of Mau to the army, the BJP leaders want a sitting High Court judge to inquire into the incident.
