Date:05/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/05/stories/2007020505031200.htm

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Kalyan Singh held, released

Special Correspondent

BJP leader and partymen were on their way to Gorakhpur

LUCKNOW: Bharatiya Janata Party vice-president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Kalyan Singh, was arrested near Chinhat in Lucknow while on his way to Gorakhpur on Sunday along with several party workers. Mr. Singh was later released.

Later, Talking to reporters, Mr. Singh assailed the State Government for violation of civil rights. He said that on being stopped near Chinhat, he requested permission to visit Ayodhya, which was also denied. (Ayodhya is en route to Gorakhpur).

Mr. Singh said he failed to understand why he was prevented from going when normalcy had returned to Gorakhpur. Alleging that the BJP MP from Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanath, and other party leaders were jailed under fake cases, Mr. Singh demanded their release and withdrawal of cases.

The senior BJP leader claimed that around 1000 BJP workers have been sent to jail and alleged that the Rapid Action Force was picking up innocent people from villages.