Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday assured the family members of slain Hindutva leader Kamlesh Tiwari of all help after they demanded speedy trial and capital punishment for the culprits during a meeting with him at his official residence here.
Immediately after the 30-minute meeting with the chief minister, the family members, including Tiwari's mother Kusum, told reporters that they were satisfied with his assurances but later she said Adityanath's response was not up to expectations and expressed unhappiness that she was "forced" to to venture out of their house for the meeting against the Hindu customs during the mourning period.
She also said that they asked Adityanath why Tiwari's "security cover was withdrawn" but did not get a proper response.
"It was at his (CM) direction that policemen forced us to meet him. So we were compelled to come (to Lucknow)," she said.
"Had I been satisfied (with the chief minister's assurance), my blood would not have boiled," she told mediapersons later when asked if she was satisfied with the meeting.
"If we do not get justice, I myself will take up the sword," Tiwari's distraught mother Kusum told reporters some time after meeting Adityanath.
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"We asked the CM as to why the security cover of Kamlesh was withdrawn, why was he so brutally killed," she said.
The chief minister's expressions were "not as per our desire", added Kusum, who had on Saturday accused a local BJP leader of killing Tiwari over a temple dispute.
The family members Kamlesh Tiwari had on Saturday delayed his cremation, demanding a meeting with the chief minister to put forth their nine demands, including a probe by the National Investigation Agency.
"Yogi Adityanath has assured every possible action in the matter. We feel satisfied after meeting him. Our demand is that the killers should be given capital punishment," Tiwari wife Kiran was accompanied by her three sons, told reporters after emerging from the meeting.
Replying to reporters' queries, Tiwari's mother said, "I told the chief minister I want justice for my son and strict punishment should be given to the killers. We have been assured by the chief minister, and by giving the assurance, the chief minister has given many things."
UP Director General of Police O P Singh said, "According to the hotel staff, the two had identified themselves as Sheikh Ashfaqul Hussain and Muinuddin Pathan. On the day of murder, both of them had left the hotel, wearing saffron kurta, and there was a box of sweets in their hands."
He added, "They came to the hotel on October 17 and left it on October 18 afternoon. A saffron kurta with blood stains was found lying on their bed. The towel, which was retrieved, too had blood stains on it. A box of new mobile phone was also found from the spot. This is a big success in the investigation. The police will soon reach the killers."
"The CM's meeting the family members of the victim who was murdered in Lucknow is a welcome step. I hope the CM will visit Allahabad, Kannauj, Jhansi and Meerut also where family members of those killed due to bad law and order in the state reside."
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