Muzaffarnagar riots: Timeline of UP violence under Akhilesh Yadav

Background of the Muzaffarnagar communal clashes At least six people including a journalist and a photographer were killed on Saturday and 34 injured in clashes between members of two communities in the district, where tension has been simmering since violence in Kawal village ten days ago. The death toll is now at 28. A freelance journalist associated with IBN7 Rajesh Verma was shot dead in the Kotwali police station area. In another incident of violence, a photographer, Israr, who was hired by police was beaten to death in Thana Sikhera area. Both the media personnel were killed while covering the clashes. Read more here. [caption id=“attachment_1094441” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational Image. Reuters[/caption] The incidents were sparked off after a huge convention of a particular community had gathered in the town on Sunday to protest against several cases of eve teasing reported in the past couple of weeks. According to local police some participants in this convention got into a fight with villagers on the outskirts of Muzzaffarnagar. As this group got into town, some of those who had been beaten up started ransacking shops. Below is a timeline of violence starting from the middle of 2012 in UP. Some of the issues are surprisingly petty, but prove that the SP government may have a lot to answer to, about preparedness. 2 June, 2012: Mathura Four killed at Kosi Kalan following a dispute over drinking water outside a place of worship. 4 June, 2012: Muzaffarnagar Two women and 18 men were wounded in clashes. 23 July, 2012: Bareilly Three killed over loud music near a place of worship in Jogi Navada. Curfew re-imposed on 12 August following fresh violence. 16 Sept, 2012: Ghaziabad Six killed in clashes after alleged desecration of a sacred book. 24 Oct, 2012: Faizabad One killed; curfew following a dispute during Durga procession. 6 Dec, 2012: Azamgarh Violent clashes injure 11. 16 Jan, 2013: Lucknow Two killed, seven injured in bloodshed between two sects in Old City. 6 April, 2013: Meerut Several injured during protests against an incendiary Facebook post. 26 July, 2013: Meerut Two killed in clashes over a dispute on use of loudspeakers during festival. 27 Aug, 2013: Muzaffarnagar Three killed after a girl was harassed in Kawal village. 31 Aug, 2013: Amethi Dalit homes set on fire; man killed over construction on Gram Sabha land. 3 Sept, 2013: Shamli One killed, 10 injured in conflict between two communities over dumping of garbage in Tisara. 7  Sept, 2013: Muzaffarnagar Nine killed in violence after Mahapanchayat in protest against Kawal incident.