Kosi Kalan clash: Traders plan to intensify protest

A 31-member trader committee, 'Kosi Bachao Sangarsh Samiti', has been formed to pursue the issue and ensure justice to traders, vice-president of Akhil Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Pratinidhi Mandal, Ravikant Gard, told reporters here.

Several traders were falsely implicated in the riots, he alleged, adding that it appeared to be a politically-driven move.

The traders have prepared a five-point charter of demands and have threatened to keep their shops closed till they are accepted.

"The demands raised by traders mainly include a judicial probe in the incident, dropping of charges against innocent traders, no arrest till probe is completed and compensation for damages," he said.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate Alok Tiwari said officials are in contact with traders and efforts are being made to convince them to call off the protest.

Four persons were killed and 16 others injured after communal clashes broke out in Kosi Kalan, about 45 km from Mathura, on Friday, reportedly after a pedestrian used water meant for some religious purpose.

171 persons, including Agriculture Minister in the previous BSP regime, Choudhary Laxmi Narayan, and his brother Lekhraj Choudhary, an MLC, have been named in different cases registered after the riots.