Oppn leaders barred from visit as Meerut killing sparks political row

Agra: Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai was stopped by police at the Meerut–Muzaffarnagar border on Thursday while on his way to meet the family of Rohit Kashyap, a man in his 20s who was killed on Jan 5. Police cited law and order concerns, after which Congress workers staged a protest.Rai was later taken to the Bhagela police outpost, where he spoke to Kashyap's family over the phone. He accused the state govt of suppressing the incident and alleged misuse of police power to prevent opposition leaders from meeting the bereaved family.The killing has triggered protests in the region over the past few days. On Jan 12, Kashyap's family staged a protest at the DM office in Muzaffarnagar, demanding justice. A day later, protests were reported from Muzaffarnagar. Several opposition leaders, including Chandrashekhar and SP MP Harendra Malik, were stopped by police while attempting to reach the family.On Jan 13, when some SP leaders went to Muzaffarnagar to offer condolences but police stopped them, leading to a brief commotion. The district administration later deployed additional police personnel across the city.SP leader Atul Pradhan, who was also prevented from visiting the family, said police restrictions were excessive. "Public representatives are being stopped from meeting the victim's family. Even leaders from the ruling party were asked to turn back," he said.Pradhan said SP leaders later met the family at a nearby location and held discussions. He added that party chief Akhilesh Yadav had announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the family, which party workers would hand over to them.Meanwhile, SSP Muzaffarnagar Sanjay Kumar Verma said he and the Muzaffarnagar DM had met the family to inform them about the action taken so far. Police said the accused has been taken into custody and remanded to judicial custody. "Strong action will be taken in the matter," Verma said.The family said Kashyap, a resident of Muzaffarnagar, was travelling to Sardhana in Meerut in an auto on Jan 5 to meet relatives. He was carrying cash and other personal belongings. Police said the auto driver overheard Kashyap speaking on the phone and later befriended him. The two consumed liquor, after which a quarrel broke out. Kashyap was later killed and his body allegedly set on fire.A police officer in Meerut said a case under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 238 (causing disappearance of evidence or giving false information to shield an offender) of the BNS has been registered at Sardhana police station.