By TCN Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: Facing criticism for the police firing that killed four Muslims during communal violence in Rudrapur town of Udham Singh Nagar district on Saturday, the Uttrakhand government has removed all top officials of the district including DIG, Amit Sharma, DM, B.B. R. Purshottam and SSP, Abhinav Kumar Mortolia.
The violence erupted on Oct. 2 when a copy of Holy Quran was desecrated by some miscreants and police did not nab the culprits even though local Muslim residents complained about it. Then the angry people came out to protest which led to lathi charge followed by firing by Police which killed four members of the minority community and left several others injured. Besides, several shops of the minority community were looted and their houses were attacked and several vehicles were set afire.
However, the BJP led Uttrakhand government took decision to remove the police officials after Muslims religious, social and political leaders besides secular minded leaders demanded it to act against the police officials. They also demanded a proper compensation to the victims. The state government announced a compensation of Rs. one lakh to the families of each killed persons while the compensation for the injured will be decided later.
The Muslim leaders expressed dissatisfaction over the steps taken by the Uttarkhand government saying only removal of the officials is not enough. They should be suspended and booked with criminal case. They also criticized the government for announcing meager amount of compensation for the victims.
The situation is still tense in the Rudrapur town on Wednesday but under control as curfew continues. A number of Muslims, who were there for job or business purposes, are trapped. They do not find anything to eat. Several Muslim leaders tried to visit the affected area but no one was allowed. Meanwhile, police is arresting people from both the communities but Muslims outnumber others.