UP CM Adityanath meets families of Sonbhadra victims, hints at SP & Congress involvement

CM Yogi Adityanath, announced an enhanced compensation of Rs 18.5 lakh to the families of those killed, and said a report on an inquiry into the wrongdoings has been sought within 10 days.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath during his visit of Sonbhadra where 10 people were killed in a shootout this week over a land dispute, Sunday | ANI Photo

Sonbhadra: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday met the families of Gond tribals killed in a clash here over a land dispute four days ago and announced several steps including enhanced compensation and

time-bound completion of inquiry.

Targeting opposition parties, Adityanath alleged the agricultural land on which tribals used to practice traditional agriculture was registered “in the name of a Congress leader in a wrong way in 1955”. He also claimed that the village head and his brother involved in the incident were associated with the Samajwadi Party.

“In 1989, the land which belonged to a public trust was registered in the name of people linked with the trust. In 2017, the land was sold to some local people,” he said, adding an inquiry report into all the wrongdoings since 1952 has been sought within 10 days.

The chief minister announced an enhanced compensation of Rs 18.5 lakh each to the families of those killed and Rs 2.5 lakh to the injured.

He added that “wherever any anomaly was prima facie detected, action has been taken be it the tehsil level or in the police department”.

He also said that in a police outpost will be opened at the spot of the crime and a fire station will be established in Ghorawal area.

The UP Chief Minister went to the district hospital to meet the people who were injured in the clash.

Ten persons were killed and 18 people were injured in the clash on Wednesday after a village headman and his supporters opened fire on a group of tribals over a land dispute.