BJP MLA Sangeet Som, accused of uploading a fake video that played a role in provoking communal tension in Muzaffarnagar and making inflammatory speeches, was today arrested.
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, the supporters of the legislator claimed that he had surrendered before Sardhana police.
Police has been put on alert in the town to deal with possible protests by BJP supporters. Som’s arrest comes a day after Uttar Pradesh Police took into custody BJP MLA Suresh Rana in Lucknow on charges of making provocative speech to incite riots in Muzaffarnagar.
Arrest warrants
A court in Muzaffarnagar had on Wednesday issued arrest warrants against 16 politicians and community leaders, including Som, BSP MP Qadir Rana, BJP MLA Bhartendu Singh, BSP MLAs Noor Saleem and Maulana Jameel, Congress leader Saeeduzaman and BKU chief Naresh Tikait.
They are wanted for violating prohibitory orders and provoking communal tension by inflammatory speeches at different meetings (mahapanchayats) in the district, the police said.
Som has been accused of allegedly uploading a fake video that provoked communal riots in Muzaffarnagar.
High drama had unfolded in front of UP Assembly on Wednesday with BJP leaders and workers, led by Uma Bharati, protested against the possible arrest of party MLA Som.
Facing criticism over failure to arrest several MLAs despite warrants being issued against them by a court in Muzaffarnagar, IG (Law and Order) R.K. Vishwakarma had said that the arrests were being “deliberately avoided” as the session of state Assembly was in progress.
Communal clashes
The communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas claimed 47 lives and displaced over 40,000 people.
The BJP has lashed out at the Samajwadi Party Government alleging that its workers were being targeted and implicated in cases “without evidence’’.
The party also called for a bandh in western UP districts tomorrow.