Rahul Gandhi denied permission to visit violence-hit Saharanpur

Lucknow, May 26 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday denied permission to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to visit the violence-hit villages of Saharanpur, where caste conflict has left two dead and scores injured.

The permission was denied based on the state policy of keeping the region out of bounds for leaders until the situation returns to normal, an official said.

The Gandhi scion had sought permission to visit Saharanpur on Saturday. Additional Director General (ADG) Law and Order Aditya Mishra clarified that the state government had denied permission for Gandhi’s visit.

Sources said that after the violence broke out soon after Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati’s visit, the Chief Minister’s Office asked district officials not to grant any such permission in future.

Newly appointed SSP of Saharanpur Babloo Kumar also said that in case the Congress leader still tried to come to Saharanpur, he would be prevented from doing so at the air strip itself.

Earlier, former union minister Kumar Shailja and senior Congress leader P.L. Punia were denied permission to visit Saharanpur.