Nitish hikes compensation for Bihar riot victims, BJP and RJD question timing of announcement
Muzaffarnagar riots have not left neighbouring Bihar untouched, another communally sensitive state. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is not only contemplating scuttling Narendra Modi 'Hunkaar' rally but also decided to take a slew of measures to give a boost to his secular image. On Wednesday, the state government announced to hike the compensation for victims killed in communal violence from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.5 lakh. The government also announced to constitute an anti-riot force in the state.
Denying any connection between the recent announcement and Muzaffarnagar riots in Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Ajay Alok, general secretary of JD(U) said that Bihar government had sent these proposals to the Centre five years ago but the recommendations were sanctioned only a few days back so the state government announced them now.
"There is no link between these announcements and Muzaffarnagar riots. We had sent these proposals to the Union government five years ago," said Dr. Ajay Alok.
However, terming the recent announcement as Nitish Kumar's move to target Muslim voters in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP and RJD questioned the timing of the announcements.
"This is all election stunt of Nitish Kumar's government. Why did not Nitish increase compensation package for the riot victim's earlier? Why he is trying to be secular now," said Giriraj Singh, leader BJP.
RJD leader Ram Kripal Yadav said, "Nitish wants to show himself as secular leader. We want to ask Nitish Kumar as to why anti-riots force was not set up for last 8 years? Why the compensation amount was not increased in last 8 years? All this is political stunt of Nitish before elections. Minorities will not fall into Nitish's trap this time."
On Wednesday, the Union Home Ministry came out with figures pertaining to communal riots in various states. Bihar has witnessed 40 communal disturbances and 25 incidents of tension-like situation in 2013. Nine deaths were recorded in riots, of whom five were Hindus and four were Muslims.
Denying any connection between the recent announcement and Muzaffarnagar riots in Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Ajay Alok, general secretary of JD(U) said that Bihar government had sent these proposals to the Centre five years ago but the recommendations were sanctioned only a few days back so the state government announced them now.
"There is no link between these announcements and Muzaffarnagar riots. We had sent these proposals to the Union government five years ago," said Dr. Ajay Alok.
However, terming the recent announcement as Nitish Kumar's move to target Muslim voters in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP and RJD questioned the timing of the announcements.
"This is all election stunt of Nitish Kumar's government. Why did not Nitish increase compensation package for the riot victim's earlier? Why he is trying to be secular now," said Giriraj Singh, leader BJP.
RJD leader Ram Kripal Yadav said, "Nitish wants to show himself as secular leader. We want to ask Nitish Kumar as to why anti-riots force was not set up for last 8 years? Why the compensation amount was not increased in last 8 years? All this is political stunt of Nitish before elections. Minorities will not fall into Nitish's trap this time."
On Wednesday, the Union Home Ministry came out with figures pertaining to communal riots in various states. Bihar has witnessed 40 communal disturbances and 25 incidents of tension-like situation in 2013. Nine deaths were recorded in riots, of whom five were Hindus and four were Muslims.
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