The Hindu : U.P. decision to abolish 9 districts sparks violence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 15, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

U.P. decision to abolish 9 districts sparks violence

LUCKNOW, JAN. 14. The Uttar Pradesh Government's decision to abolish nine districts today resulted in violent protests, including uprooting of railway tracks, across most places in the State and the police opened fire to disperse mobs.

The BJP MLA from Shravasti and the `Raja of Bhinga,' Chandramani Kant Singh, today submitted his resignation from the Assembly to protest the decision. Mr. Singh's Shravasti district has been merged with Bahraich and Gonda districts.

Reports from Auraiyya, Basti and Jyotibaphule Nagar said people blocked road and rail traffic and burnt the effigy of the Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav.

A report from Bahraich said police had to open fire and use teargas to disperse a mob at Bhinga. The Bahraich Superintendent of Police, K. P. Singh, claimed the mob damaged six government vehicles and damaged windowpanes of the district hospital forcing police to open fire. Six police personnel were also injured even as 12 people were detained for violence.

Altogether, 60 BSP supporters along with the party MP, Bhal Chandra Yadav, were taken into custody for obstructing regular rail and road traffic in Basti. They were protesting the abolition of Sant Kabirnagar district. The demonstrators also torched the vehicle of the Samajwadi Party MLC, Md. Ramzan, at Khalilabad.

The Assembly Speaker, Keshrinath Tripathi, said here that he could not take cognizance of the faxed resignation of Mr. Singh. ``He would have to come personally for the purpose.''

Meanwhile, the BJP's State president, Vinay Katiyar, said here today that the party would not accept the resignation of the MLA. He assured that the party would certainly revert the decision of the present Government after regaining power in the State.

Mr. Katiyar said the BJP viewed the matter seriously and would generate public opinion before launching a mass agitation against the decision.

Mulayam defends move

Defending his move, Mr. Yadav said the decision should not be given a political colour even though previous governments had created new districts against the set norms to serve their political motives.

``This step will help the State, facing economic crisis, save upto Rs. 3,750 crores which would have been spent on setting up the infrastructure of these districts and disbursing salaries to the staff," he said while addressing a delegation of teachers.

— UNI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section

Sangma sticks to stand

Sonia, Pawar to meet today

U.P. decision to abolish 9 districts sparks violence

Ganguly's side has made a bold statement

More economic initiatives likely, FDI limit to be increased

Fernandes injured