Senior Congress leaders today visited Hansot and Ambeta villages in Gujarat's Bharuch district and handed over cheques to families of three persons who died during the recent communal clash.
Clashes took place following a scuffle between groups of two communities over kite flying during 'makar sankranti' festival on January 14 in Ambeta and later spread to Hansot.
Two persons had died on the same day while one succumbed to injuries during treatment at a Surat hospital yesterday.
A high-level delegation of Congress including Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president Arjun Modhwadia, leader of Opposition in Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela, former union minister Tushar Chaudhari and many others visited Hansot and Ambetha.
Vaghela said that political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi Ahmed Patel asked the delegation to visit the places and meet the victims.
"Ahmed bhai wanted us to come here and meet the family members of those who are killed in the clashes. We met them today and shared their pain. As token, we also gave cheques (Rs 1 lakh) to them," Vaghela said after arriving in Hansot.
Meanwhile, Modhwadia alleged that the recent clashes in Hansot were an attempt by state administration to divert people's attention from other issues.
"Locals (in Hasnot, Ambeta) have been protesting against illegal shrimp farming done by some BJP leaders. To divert the attention and cover-up the anger among locals against BJP, these clashes were intentionally orchestrated. We demand that government should give Rs 5 lakh each to families of three persons who died during the clash," Modhwadia said.
