Ajit Singh stopped on way to Muzaffarnagar

Police Monday detained union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh and his son and Mathura MP Jayant Chaudhary as they were on their way to Muzaffarnagar, where communal clashes since Saturday have left 28 people dead.

Ajit Singh was taken to the Avas Vikas guest house while his son protested the police action and staged a dharna at UP gate on National Highway-24. They later returned to Delhi.

Justifying the action, the Ghaziabad police claimed that Muzaffarnagar, now returning to peace, would be disturbed again by the visits of the VIPs and the state government has directed all the officers to act appropriately to restore peace in and around the area.

Talking to media persons at the guest house, Ajit Singh demanded the dismissal of the state government, alleging the communal harmony in Muzaffar Nagar has been disturbed by "vested interests" of the ruling Samajwadi Party.

Accusing the SP of hatching a conspiracy to communalize the state to woo the Muslim voters to its fold, he claimed the Muslims have understood its trick.

"Both the Jat and the Muslims have decided to live in complete harmony so the peace is returning to the area. Police and the army have not played any role to restore peace and they are just repressing both the communities," he added.

Superintendent of Police (City) Shiv Shankar Yadav said Ajit Singh was requested not to proceed to Muzaffarnagar and hence taken to the guest house where after a while he agreed to return to Delhi.