Ajit Singh detained en route, says 'was going to Baghpat with message of peace'

Says it is a misfortune that the SP has returned to power in the state

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh, who was today detained at the Uttar Pradesh border while entering Baghpat, accused Mulayam Singh Yadav of spreading violence, and said it is a misfortune that the Samajwadi Party has returned to power in the state.

Singh, who is the elected representative from Baghpat, said he was visiting his Constituency with a message of peace.

"I was going there (Baghpat) with message of peace. Mulayam Singh has spread violence, he doesn't want me to go there," he told media after being detained.

"It is our misfortune that the Samajwadi Party has returned to power and violence is taking place," he added.

The Civil Aviation Minister earlier in the alleged that Mulayam Singh Yadav is trying to make every incident a Hindu Muslim issue in his attempt to become the Narendra Modi of his state.

"Mulayam is trying to make every incident a Hindu Muslim issue. He is trying to be UP's Modi (Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi)," Singh told media in New Delhi.

"Mulayam is not left with any issue for elections. That is the reason a lot of anti-social elements are taking advantage. There is a total collapse of law and order and anti-social elements are taking advantage," he added, as he headed to Baghpat, where AK 47 cartridges and bullets and a pistol have been reportedly found.

Ajit Singh and his son Jayant Chaudhary were earlier on Monday stopped from entering Uttar Pradesh, while they were on their way to riot-hit Muzaffarnagar. The two were detained near Ghaziabad.

Singh had earlier said that he is ready to take responsibility for the people who have fled from the affected-areas fearing clashes.

"I will make committees in villages from where the villagers have fled and bring them back to their homes," he added.

Meanwhile, the curfew has been relaxed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Muzaffarnagar city today. The concerned authorities say that the situation in the curfew-hit city and far-flung areas is fast returning to normal.

It is the third consecutive day of curfew relaxation, which is passing off peacefully. People in large number have come out from their houses. Besides making essential purchases for their families, they are also visiting friends and relatives.

The administration is keeping a strict vigil on every aspect of the violence hit areas including Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Baghpat and Meerut. Heavy deployment of army and paramilitary forces has been ensured to avert any untoward situation in the deep rural areas.

Scores of senior officials, including Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arun Kumar and others, are constantly camping in trouble-hit Muzaffarnagar.

The Uttar Pradesh Government has constituted a one-member judicial commission to probe Muzaffarnagar violence, which claimed at least 40 lives.

The commission, which would mainly look into administrative lapses, if any, in controlling the violence, would submit its report to the government within two months.

Violence broke out in the Kawal area of Muzaffarnagar on Saturday when members of a community returning from a panchayat meeting in Naglabadhod, three kilometres from Kawal, clashed with members of another community.