Violence were reported in Meerut today as supporters of Uttar Pradesh BJP leader Sangeet Som, arrested for his alleged role in last month's Muzaffarnagar riots, clashed with security forces while trying to defy the ban on a proposed panchayat.
According to television reports, the panchayat was planned to protest against his arrest and the imposition of the stringent National Security Act against the legislator.
The police had to resort to lathicharge to control the irate mob, which pelted stones at the policemen and security personnel. Some policemen were injured in the violence.
Despite the prohibitory orders, television reports said over 2000 people, including a few local BJP leaders, gathered at a school ground in Khera village to Som's arrest.
Som, who is accused of allegedly making an inflammatory speech leading to the Muzaffarnagar riots, had earlier said that he is a law abiding citizen, and therefore, would surrender.
Som also rubbished claims that he uploaded a fake video that played a crucial role in the Muzaffarnagar communal riots.
"It is absolutely wrong, I haven't uploaded any video. It should be investigated and if I have done so I am ready to face the punishment. The truth is that the Samajwadi Party workers have uploaded it," Som told media here.
"It is a hundred percent conspiracy against me to please a certain section of the society. I am being unnecessarily accused," he added.
The Uttar Pradesh Government has constituted a one-member judicial commission to probe the Muzaffarnagar violence, which has claimed over 40 lives.
The commission, which would mainly look into administrative lapses, if any, in controlling the violence, would submit its report to the government within two months.
Violence broke out in the Kawal area of Muzaffarnagar on August 27, when members of a community returning from a panchayat meeting in Naglabadhod, three kilometres from Kawal, clashed with members of another community.
