A report of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has all but validated BJP MP Hukum Singh’s allegations regarding the exodus of 250 Hindu families from Kairana in Shamli district of western Uttar Pradesh.
A probe panel, constituted by the NHRC to probe the alleged exodus, has conceded in its report that over 250 Hindu families had indeed left the town due to fear of the members of a particular community which was "in majority in the area".
The probe panel consisted of four members including Deputy SP Ravi Singh and inspectors Suman Kumari, Saroj Tiwari and Arun Kumar.
The NHRC has sought a report from UP Chief Secretary and DGP on the action they have taken on the findings and recommendations of its probe team submitted to the state government on June 23.
"At least 24 witnesses stated that the youths of the specific majority community (Muslims in this case) in Kairana town pass lewd/taunting remarks against the females of the specific minority community in town. Due to this, females of the specific minority community (Hindus) in Kairana town avoid going outside frequently. However, they could not gather courage to report the matter to the police for the legal action," the report said.
"During the course of the inquiry, our team visited different places in Kairana town, Muzaffarnagar and Panipat in Haryana. The team also examined relevant witnesses, victims, independent witnesses, police and administrative officials concerned. Copies of relevant records were also obtained and analyzed. The team obtained a list of 346 displaced families/persons from Kairana MP Hukum Singh's personal secretary. Out of that list, three residential localities were selected and at least six alleged victims/displaced families/persons were randomly chosen for verification. The team also had telephonic verification from at least four displaced families mentioned in the list, who had migrated to distant places like Dehradun (Uttarakhand) and Surat (Gujarat)," NHRC's deputy director (media & communication) Jaimini Kumar Srivastava told Times of India.
Confirming the terror of Mukim Kala gang in the region, the report says, “The notorious gang leader Mukim Kala had committed at least 47 cases of robbery, murder, dacoity, extortion and violation of the Arms Act during a span of just 5 years between 2010 and 2015, in the states of UP, Haryana and Uttarakhand."
The report also says that the resettlement of over 25,000 members of the minority community in the aftermath of the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots had led to a major change in the demography of many towns in the region, including Kairana.
"Most of the witnesses and victims feel that the rehabilitation in 2013 has permanently changed the social situation in Kairana town leading to further deterioration of law and order in the area," the report added.
