Riot-accused BJP MLA gives UP govt ultimatum: Bring back Kairana Hindus or face trouble

BJP legislator Sangeet Som, a prime accused in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, gave the Uttar Pradesh government an ultimatum on Friday: bring back Hindu families who have allegedly migrated from Kairana within 15 days or face protests.

Though fact-finding teams have pointed out that the migration included both Hindus and Muslims mainly for economic reasons, the BJP seems unwilling to let go of the Hindu 'exodus' story first raised by local party MLA Hukum Singh.

The BJP on Friday released its own report on the Kairana situation and demanded a CBI probe into the criminal gangs that they say are intimidating Hindus, according to the Hindustan Times.

Meanwhile, as Som began his 'Paidal Nirbhay Yatra' across Uttar Pradesh on Friday to assure Hindus of safety in the state, Uttar Pradesh BJP head Keshav Prasad Maurya said the rally was 'uncalled for' and that the party had not given Som its permission to hold it, according to ABPLive.

Maurya said: "The BJP has not said anything to push this forward. Sangeetji has been told that there's no need for this right now. We will think about it and wait for the party's instructions."