Guv assesses Mau situation

MAU: "It is unfortunate that even after 55 years of independence such incidents of violence are taking place. It should not happen." These were the words of the Governor TV Rajeswar who saw burnt shops and houses and met relatives of victims during his visit to the riot-hit Mau on Saturday.
Immediately after arriving here at the guest house of tele-communication department at 9:45 am, Rajeswar left to take a round of the city which has been under curfew for the last nine days.After moving along the main roads, he decided to move through the narrow lanes to see the condition of other affected localities.
This unexpected move of the governor put the officials in a difficult situation. As per the schedule, he was to spend only one-and-a-quarter hour in the city. But, it took him almost three hours to inspect the affected areas and meet local people and delegations of political parties.
During his visit, he left his car at nine places. For a moment he was left speechless when an elderly woman in Bara Pokhara area fell at his feet crying. Her two daughters and a son were missing and her house was destroyed by rioters. The governor consoled her and assured her help and justice.
He also consoled the family members of another victim who was killed in Brahman Tola in Dhobiya Imli lane. The people of Mau gave vent to their feelings against the former district magistrate and superintendent of police of the district before the governor.
They alleged that the erstwhile district administration was a mere puppet in the hands of Mukhtar Ansari, who is widely blamed for the communal carnage. The governor was also handed memorandums demanding compensation for people who have lost their property in these riots.
There was a demand to enhance the compensation money in case of death from Rs 2 lakh to 5 lakh. The previous administration suffered a total loss of credibility in the eyes of the very people it was supposed to protect. During a brief chat with mediapersons, he refused to make any comment on the law and order situation.
"I have seen everything and also met several persons. But I can't say anything about my opinion and assessment," he said adding that the matter would be discussed with officials.
After the hour-long round of the city, he held meetings with the administrative and police officials and representatives of political parties including Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party and Bharatiya Janata Party. No member of the Samajwadi Party was allowed to meet him.
Prominent among others who met the governor were the Mahila Congress presient, Rita Bahuguna, state president, Sudha Rai, former Congress MP Dr Santosh Singh, Kapildev Yadav, BSP MLA, Yogendra Nath Rai of BJP, Dr Ram Gopal Gupta of city unit of Akhil Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal and Sanjay Khandelwal, secretary of Mau Soot Vyavsaayi Samiti.