Cong’s Big Three pay UP riot victims a visit

The cavalcade of Prime Minister Manhoman Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi union minister of state for home R P N Singh, Uttar Pradesh governor B L Joshi and UP health minister Ahmad Hassan reached the Islamiya Madarsa, a relief camp of the district administration, in Basikala village and heard the victims’ grievances.

‘No efforts will be spared to provide all possible help to the riot victims and the Centre will give every assistance to the Uttar Pradesh government in this regard,’ he said while talking to reporters after inspecting the relief camp. The PM, during his visit to the relief camp, spoke to the victims and was apprised of the relief measures by the officials present there.

‘I have come here to share your grief and assure every assistance to those who were either injured, lost their kins or displaced,’ he said. Pointing out that the rehabilitation of those who had been displaced in the riot was of top priority for the government, Singh said the security and safety of the citizens always remained the duty of the state. ‘We will ensure it with the best of our resources and capability,’ he stated while further assuring the UP government of providing all help from the Centre that was needed. He also appealed to the people to keep calm in this hour of crisis in order to maintain communal harmony.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also interacted with the victims in the relief camps and said the Centre in association with the state government will make every possible effort to help the affected people and ensure their rehabilitation.

Gandhi breached his security cordon on more than one occasion to reach out to the people who narrated their woes to him. He even received some relief applications himself.

The PM along with Sonia Gandhi and the UP state governor also visited the house of the slain IBN-7 journalist Rajesh Verma and extended his grief to the bereaved relatives. He also announced a monetary assistance of Rs 10 lakhs for the grief-stricken family.

On Sunday, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had visited the riot-hit district. It may be recalled that over 48 persons were killed in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining districts during the course of riots and curfew in three police station areas was imposed on 7 September.