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Azam Khan takes dig at PM for visiting Muzaffarnagar

He said the PM should have also visited other areas like Faizabad, Mathura and Bareilly, where riots have taken place in the past

Press Trust of India Lucknow
Last Updated : Sep 16 2013 | 4:32 PM IST
Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan today took a dig at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for undertaking a visit to riot-hit areas of Muzaffarnagar.

"PM Manmohan Singh has gone to Muzaffarnagar...It is good...Elections are near and he should do this," Khan told reporters here.

He said the PM should have also visited other areas like Faizabad, Mathura and Bareilly, where riots have taken place in the past.

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The PM, along with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, is on an official visit to riot-hit areas of Muzaffarnagar.

Azam alleged that the riots in Muzaffarnagar were triggered by fascist forces hiding under the cover of secularism.

"Whatever happened there was bad and we condemn it. Strict action will be taken against the perpetrators," he said.

Azam denied reports in a section of the press that the state government has decided to withdraw NSA slapped on rioters in the district.

"Some newspapers have published that National Security Act will be withdrawn, but in reality there is nothing like this. I have talked to the Chief Minister and whatever action has to be taken will be taken," he said.

In response to a query on arrest of BJP MLAs named in the FIRs filed in connection with the riots, he said, "Arrest cannot be made in the House, but it is sure that no person is above the law. Probably, this feeling checked the riots.

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First Published: Sep 16 2013 | 3:15 PM IST

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