UP land stir: Smoke shrouds Rahul Gandhi’s ash claim

Among the women who denied knowledge of any rape victim was Virendri Devi of Bhatta village who was in the delegation that met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Her 15-year-old daughter Khushboo has a black eye which she says is the result of police assault.

On Monday,Rahul Gandhi “facilitated” a meeting of the farmers with the Prime Minister where they showed pictures purportedly of burnt bodies,melted and burnt bones and other evidence of “police repression” against villagers seeking higher compensation for land acquired by the state.

Asked about the rape-and-bones claim,Virendri Devi today told The Indian Express that one of the villagers — there were three from Bhatta and five from Parsaul — had told the Prime Minister about the bones,but she had not.

She said that some women were beaten by police. “They came to our house,they were abusive. My daughter was beaten up. I have heard women were raped but I do not know of any such victim,” Virendri Devi said.

“Rahul arranged for our stay at a bungalow. We were served four vegetables,raita,salad and desserts. For two days,I felt I was in heaven. I even told him to spare us a room in his house but he only laughed. We felt we were talking to our brother,” Virendri Devi said.

Gandhi’s claims on Monday prompted the district administration to collect samples from the mounds the Congress leader referred to. These samples were sent to the state Forensic Science Laboratory in Agra. Additional District Magistrate (Land and Acquisition) O P Arya said that villagers were part of the team that went to collect the samples.

“We announced in the village that we were starting formal investigations. Rajiv Khanna,Navjit Kumar and Pappu were the three villagers who accompanied us,” Arya said,adding that tests would be conducted to check for the presence of human remains.

The administration,however,did little to cordon off the sites in the two villages. People made a beeline to the heaps that appeared to be remnants of haystacks burnt during the May 7 clashes between villagers and police personnel.

In Parsaul,residents sitting near the choupal were taken aback when they were asked if they knew of any family whose member had been killed and buried in one of the mounds.

“I will not lie but there were fewer atrocities in Parsaul as compared to Bhatta. Many of our men have returned,some are away and others are missing. But we are not aware of any family whose member has been burnt alive by police. They did beat us mercilessly though,” Surendra Malik said.

“Rahul Gandhi told us before the media that he had seen bones. One of my neighbours said police had collected bones from the mounds and had thrown them in the canal,” Khubwanti Devi said. Asked if she knew of any family that had lost a member,she said: “Not in my family. But I have heard there are villagers who have been burnt alive.”

Meanwhile,Meerut Divisional Commissioner Bhuvnesh Kumar told reporters: “Some allegations are being made against the state police,about burning villagers and bodies being unearthed. These are all false. It will all come out soon.”

He said samples taken by the forensic team should also be examined for remains of explosives. According to police,explosives were planted by those behind the abduction of three roadways employees and inciting farmers to resort to violence.

ADM Arya said a resident of Surajpur had moved court asking the district administration about missing persons. “He complained that his friend from Bhatta village had been missing along with several others. In a written reply,we have said he was admitted in a hospital in Bulandshahr by relatives. He received a bullet injury. The report rubbishes reports of missing villagers,” he said.

Samjawadi Party district president Bijender Singh Bhati said Rahul Gandhi should refrain from making comments that showed his “ignorance” about villagers.

“The statement given by Rahul Gandhi is meant to be laughed at. There is no question of so many people having been killed. Even villagers do not agree with him. I believe the casualty figure could reach five. He should consult seniors in his party before giving out statements on such an important and sensitive issue,” Bhati said.

— With Juhi Baveja