Security stepped up in Agra after VHP leader’s killing

Agra

Authorities have stepped up security in the city which has been gripped by tension following the murder of a local VHP leader four days ago.

Additional companies of police and Rapid Action Force teams have been deployed in Mantola and Nai ki Mandi areas, official sources said.

BJP, VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders delivered speeches yesterday at a condolence meeting for 50-year-old Arun Mahaur, VHP’s city vice president who was shot dead while returning from a temple Thursday morning.

A close vigil is being kept on the activities of BJP leaders as well as members of other saffron outfits like Bajrang Dal, the sources said.

After the district authorities refused permission for a condolence meeting in Mantola area at the residence of Mahaur, the BJP shifted the venue to Jaipur House colony, Ramlila ground where Sadhvi Prachi, Union minister of state for HRD Ram Shankar Katheria along with local MLAs of the party were present.

Police said the accused Shah Rukh in the murder case has already been arrested.

Leaders of the Hindu outfits have demanded firm action against suspects indulging in cow slaughtering, and raising of compensation for the family of the deceased.

The state government has announced Rs 15 lakh for the family, but BJP leaders were not satified and said that the Dadri lynching victim’s kin were given Rs 45 lakh, a house and job.

District authorities have now written to the state government to increase the relief.

Minister claims ‘conspiracy’ against Hindus

Agra

Hindu community was facing a “conspiracy” and it should strengthen itself and “set an example”, Union Minister Ram Shankar Katheria said here at a condolence meeting for a dalit VHP leader, who was shot dead on Thursday.

Katheria, who is Lok Sabha member from Agra, and MP from Fatehpur Sikri Babu Lal were among the leaders of BJP, VHP and Bajrang Dal who addressed the meeting held yesterday following the killing of 50-year-old Arun Mahaur, VHP’s city vice president.

“This conspiracy that is being hatched against the Hindu community, we have to be be alert to recognise it and strengthen ourselves. We will have to fight it because if we do not do it now, today we have lost one Arun, tomorrow it could be another Arun…the killers should also go, we have to set such an example,” Minister of State for HRD Katheria said.

Addressing the gathering, Babu Lal said, “If the Muslims have something in their mind, then draw a line and you will see the strength of the Hindu community”.

After the district authorities refused permission for a condolence meeting in Mantola area at the residence of Mahaur, the BJP had shifted the venue to Jaipur House colony, Ramlila ground where Sadhvi Prachi, Katheria along with local MLAs of the party were present.

Authorities have stepped up security in the city which has been gripped by tension following the murder Mauhur while he was returning from a temple on Thursday morning.

PTI