Beeline for Z+ security: After Sangeet Som, another riot accused seeks protection

On this day a year ago, the killings of two Jat boys had triggered three weeks of murder and mayhem in Muzaffarnagar as violence tore through village after village, fanned by provocative speeches by local politicians. [caption id=“attachment_1684319” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  BJP legislator Suresh Rana. Agencies[/caption] Now, on the first anniversary of the Muzaffarnagar riots, another BJP legislator, Suresh Rana, has demanded Z+ category security from the government. After riot accused Sangeet Som was granted the Z-category security cover, Suresh Rana, also an accused of rioting in Uttar Pradesh, has sought the additional protection too. Muzaffarnagar riots accused BJP MLA Sangeet Som had been granted Z-category security cover by the Union government after intelligence inputs suggested a threat to his life, media reports had said on Tuesday. Just a day later, Rana alleged that he received threats too and demanded for security cover. Although, BJP clarified that they have not made any decisions yet. Speaking to NDTV, a BJP spokesman said, “Giving Z+ security is not a matter of government’s whim. These decisions are based on the feedback intelligence agencies provide. We still have not decided on Rana’s security.” Several political leaders condemned the statement. Congress’ Manish Tewari said, “Every riot accused will be given security while the riot survivors will remain homeless. This is the acche din the BJP promised to people. And the saddest part is all this is happening on the 1st anniversary of the Muzaffarnagar riots.” With inputs from agencies