The Hindu : BJP MLA booked for murder

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 20, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

BJP MLA booked for murder

LUCKNOW, MARCH, 19. Situation in Ballia, where two people were allegedly killed and several others injured in police firing yesterday, continued to be tense but under control today.

Talking to newspersons here, State Home Secretary Dipti Vilash said local BJP MLA Ram Iqbal Singh and nine others had been arrested and booked under murder and robbery charges.

The District BJP unit has given a bandh call for tomorrow in Ballia, demanding immediate release of the MLA and his supporters.

Yesterday, police resorted to firing when a baton charge failed to control an ``unruly'' mob of BJP workers, who had gheraoed the Nagra police station, about 40 kms from Ballia, Mr Vilash said. Security has been beefed up in the district in view of the bandh call tomorrow, he added.

The State Government has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Lalji Tandon held Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav responsible for the incident.

Talking to reporters here, he said whenever Mr Yadav was at the helm of affairs in the State such incidents occurred. He also demanded that the guilty policemen be suspended and a case of murder be registered against them. -- UNI

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