BJP legislators detained on 'mahapanchayat' issue

Four BJP legislators, including Muzaffarnagar riots-accused Sangeet Som, were today detained here after they tried to defy a ban on the party from holding a 'mahapanchayat' in Kanth area here.

The 'mahapanchayat' or gathering was called by the state BJP today after a recent dispute in Kanth, over a loudspeaker installed at a temple, which led to communal tension in the area.

Som, a Sardhana MLA, Amroha MP Kunwar Singh Tanwar, Sambhal MP Satyapal Saini from and Rampur MP Nepal Singh have been detained and sent to police lines, Moradabad Commissioner, Shiv Shankar Singh said.

Apart from these legislators, members of RSS and Hindu Maha Sabha along with their supporters were also present who wanted to hold the mahapanchayat, he said.

Section 144 has been imposed in the area. All roads have been sealed. And, we will take all measures to stop the party from holding this gathering, Singh said.

"Rail traffic route has been disturbed due to the agitation. Train services in both the lines were also affected," ADRM Moradabad Division, Hitendra Mehrotra said.

BJP agitators sat on the tracks and disrupted rail services. They also resorted to stone-pelting there. Moradabad District Magistrate Chandra Kant was injured during the incident, SP, Rural Area, Anil Kumar Singh said.