UP govt not serious about law and order: Kiren Rijiju on Mathura violence

The Centre today hit out at the ruling Samajwadi Party accusing it of not being serious about law and order in Uttar Pradesh, days after the Mathura clashes left 29 people dead.

"The UP government is not serious about law and order. It has to be strict, but its intentions were not right. The Ministry of Home Affairs cooperates with the state government and does not discriminate," Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju told reporters here.

He said the UP government should recommend a CBI probe into the violence in Jawahar Bagh in Mathura so that the truth comes out.

Rijiju said the Centre could order a CBI inquiry only on the recommendation of the state government, order of the court or on the recommendation of NIA in a special case.

To a query on terrorist acts in Uttar Pradesh and the connection of Al-Qaeda and ISIS with Sambhal and other districts, he said several terrorist activities have taken place in the country, which were connected with the state.

On Pakistani terrorist Hafeez Sayeed issuing a threat to India, he said only those persons who are weak make such statements and want publicity.

He said India is a strong nation and the government does not want to reply to such statements.