Date:30/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/30/stories/2008103061091200.htm

National

SP workers to protect north Indians on trains

Amar Singh

New Delhi: Alleging a “breakdown” in the law and order machinery in Maharashtra, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh said on Wednesday that unarmed workers of his party would travel in trains in that State to prevent attacks on north Indians.

“There is a breakdown ... whether it is constitutional or unconstitutional has to be decided by the Cabinet,” Mr. Singh said.

The SP general secretary said he had directed his Maharashtra unit chief Abu Asim Azmi to travel with party workers in trains to protect north Indians. “They will not travel with arms but with self-confidence ... carrying arms will give an issue to Raj Thackeray,” he added.

Mr. Singh said that despite the Prime Minister intervention, a second murder [of a north Indian] has taken place in Maharashtra.

He said that though “the PM’s political will cannot be doubted ... something has to be done about the [Maharashtra] Chief Minister.”

Asked why the SP was supporting the UPA government despite the violence against north Indians in Maharashtra, Mr. Singh said, “I see a ray of hope in the UPA leadership, as they can’t avoid voters in north India, otherwise an emotional trigger will ruin their fortunes during elections.”

He said that with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and the Shiv Sena indulging in a race to take credit for instigating attacks on north Indians, the “casual approach” of Maharashtra Congress leaders “is very dangerous for national interest.”

Mr. Singh claimed that “if Mulayam Singh takes the lead,” then there might be a possibility of north Indian leaders getting united on the issue. “Under [U.P. Chief Minister] Mayawati this is not possible, but if Mulayam Yadav takes the lead, then it can be done.” — PTI