BJP questions basis of pension to Muzaffarnagar riots victims

BJP today questioned the basis of UP government's move to provide pension to those injured in the Muzaffarnagar riots, and demanded that such help be extended to all injured in recent communal clashes in the state.
"BJP has no objection if the government extends financial support to those who suffered injuries in the riots, but the basis on which it should be given must be clear... Several riots took place in the state in the recent past before Muzaffarnagar, and those suffered injuries there should also be helped," BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said.
The SP government should state the parameters based on which it chose 74 injured in the Muzaffarnagar riots for pension, Pathak said, adding in the riots which left 62 people dead, the number of injured would be much more than 74.

Referring to many riots that took place in different parts of the state during the Samajwadi Party rule, he said while taking a decision on such issues the government need to rise above caste and religion.
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet had yesterday decided to give pension to 74 people affected by riots in five districts, including Muzaffarnagar and Shamli, under the Rani Laxmi Bai Scheme.
Chief Secretary Javed Usami had told reporters that it was decided to give pension of Rs 400 per month to those seriously injured in the riots in Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Saharanpur, Bagpath and Meerut since August 27.