Two more MLAs arrested, Rajnath denied visit to Muzaffarnagar

Continuing its crackdown on those allegedly involved in Muzaffarnagar violence, Uttar Pradesh Police today arrested two more MLAs -- Sangeet Som (BJP) and Noor Saleem Rana (BSP), while BJP chief Rajnath Singh was denied a visit to the riot-hit town.
The arrests come a day after Police took into custody BJP MLA Suresh Rana in Lucknow on charges of making provocative speech to incite riots in Muzaffarnagar.
Rana was today remanded to 14 days judicial custody by a local court in Muzaffarnagar, which also rejected his interim bail plea.
The district administration and police have informed Vidhan Sabha speaker about the arrest of these three MLAs, officials said.

"While Som was arrested in Meerut, BSP legislator Noor Saleem Rana has been arrested from Muzaffarnagar," IG (law and order) R K Vishwakarma told PTI.
SSP Deepak Kumar said that Som was arrested from Salava village in his constituency Sardhana, amid slogan-shouting by his supporters.

Though police said they had arrested Som, his supporters claimed the MLA had surrendered.
Som is accused of uploading a fake video that allegedly played a role in provoking communal tension in the town, besides making inflammatory speeches.
"I will abide by the law in spite of the fact that this is a false case against me. I will respond in court. They (SP, BSP) have instigated the riots....We (BJP MLAs) are being made soft targets," Som said.

Som was later brought to Muzaffarnagar and produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, which remanded him to 14 days judicial custody in the video clipping case.
His bail application in this case will come up for hearing on Monday.