In simmering Sonbhadra, Yogi Adityanath promises justice, safety to victims’ kin

READ | Police to book accused under NSA

“People involved in the killing, irrespective of whether they are officials, will be punished,” Adityanath told the victims’ families, who had gathered at the village primary school to meet him.

Later, at a press meet at Sonbhadra Collectorate, the Chief Minister once again blamed the Congress for the land row, saying the dispute arose in 1955 when the “Gram Samaj infertile land was transferred to public trust of a Congress MLC”.

READ | CM Yogi Adityanath blames Congress govts for illegal land transfer

“Later in 1989, again during the Congress government, the land was transferred to family members of those in the trust. The Congress which is shedding crocodile tears should ask for forgiveness from these poor tribal families. Due to their sins, innocent tribals became victims of the goli-kaand (firing),” Adityanath said, a day after Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi met the families of the victims in Mirzapur after she was stopped from visiting the village.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with BJP state president Swatantra Dev Singh hands out cheques to the families of victims of Umbha village clashes in Sonbhadra on Sunday. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

The Chief Minister also alleged that the main accused in the case, village pradhan Yagya Dutt, is a Samajwadi Party worker — SP has rejected the allegation.

READ | Priyanka Gandhi detained on way to Sonbhadra

“The main accused Yagya Dutt is a Samajwadi Party worker and has active responsibilities in the party. The way these people have misused power, we have seen that between 2012 and 2017. When he didn’t succeed in his intention, he carried out this incident… He is in the SP, and his brother is in BSP,” the Chief Minister said.

“In this incident, whoever is responsible, we have registered cases against them under several sections. The government is going to take serious action. There is a huge political conspiracy at the root of this incident,” he said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with BJP state president Swatantra Dev Singh meets with the families of victims Umbha village clashes in Sonbhadra on Sunday. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

Stating that land mafia in the area will be booked under the National Security Act, the Chief Minister said a three-member committee, headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), has been formed to investigate “all such wrongdoings between 1955 and 1989” and to submit its report within 10 days.

The Chief Minister announced that a police outpost, a fire station and an anganwadi centre will be opened at Umbha village. He also said a separate committee is being formed to focus on the overall development of the Sonbhadra district.

Responding to the Chief Minister’s visit, Priyanka tweeted on Sunday, “I welcome UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visit to Sonbhadra. Standing with the affected people is the duty of the government. Acknowledging one’s duty is good.”