SC expresses concern; police admit lapses

"If needed, we may send an independent team for fact finding," a bench headed by Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam said, directing the Akhilesh Yadav government to apprise it on the next hearing on November 21 of the prevailing situation in riot-hit areas. The remarks were made by the bench which referred to news reports mentioning yesterday's fresh violence in Muzaffarnagar.

It also spoke about the affidavit of the Uttar Pradesh government and said, "It looks like situation in relief camps is not what the state government is saying." The apex court, which is monitoring the relief and rehabilitation measures in the communal violence hit districts, was told by the state government on the Wednesday's incident that "prima facie it looks only a law and order problem and not communal in nature."

The bench was hearing the state government's plea seeking to transfer the petition filed by a police official in the Allahabad high court to the Supreme Court against his suspension in the wake of communal violence in the district. It sought response from the police officer whose suspension was stayed by the high court on October 9.

As the fresh communal violence here tested the Akhilesh Yadav government again, the Uttar Pradesh police chief on Thursday admitted to lapses on the part of police even as paramilitary forces patrolled sensitive areas.

Eight people have been arrested and cases registered against 15 people in connection with Wednesday night's violence in Budhana area of Muzaffarnagar in which four men were killed.