NHRC seeks report from UP govt on 250 Hindu families leaving Kairana
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sought a report within four weeks from the Akhilesh Yadav government on Friday following allegations that 250 Hindu families were forced to leave Kairana town in western Uttar Pradesh because of extortion and threats.
Terming the allegations as “serious in nature”, the commission also directed its deputy inspector general (investigation) to send a team for a spot inquiry and submit a report in two weeks.
The move came on a complaint that a Hindu woman was gang-raped and murdered in the town recently but police didn’t arrest the suspects because of political pressure.
In 2014, two businessmen --Shankar and his brother Raju -- were shot dead in broad daylight after they refused to pay money to an alleged Muslim gang, the complaint also said.
The local BJP member of Parliament, Hukum Singh, has claimed more than 250 Hindu families migrated from the city in the last two years following an alleged spike in crime against the community. The party is also sending a team to Kairana.
Police admitted to a few cases of extortion but said the bulk of the migration was because of a lack of jobs in the area.
Sub-inspector of Kairana police station Ravindra Singh also rejected allegations that the local administration was working under pressure from the Muslim community.

The allegations surrounding the Muslim-majority town – a part of Shamli district – comes less than a year before assembly polls in the politically crucial state.
Communal tension is also mounting in Greater Noida’s Bisada village – a roughly three-hour drive– after a local panchayat demanded cow slaughter charges be pressed against the family of Mohammad Ikhlaq, who was lynched by a mob for allegedly possessing beef last year, triggering nationwide outrage.
Rival parties said the BJP was trying to fan communal passions for electoral benefit.
Accusing the BJP of dividing people on castes and religious lines, Congress leader Basheer Ahmad asked, “Why did Hukum Singh keep mum when people were being killed and exodus began?”
The ruling Samajwadi Party’s district president Kiranpal Kashyap termed the allegations a “political stunt” to polarise voters. The BJP is looking to dethrone the SP in the state polls and repeat its bumper Lok Sabha performance, when it picked up 71 of the state’s 80 seats.

HT Environment Conclave: Govt to train village women to test water quality

Bengal forest minister Rajib Banerjee resigns as Cabinet minister
- Rajib Banerjee took to Facebook to dissent against the Trinamool, stating the senior leaders have not paid heed to his concerns.

Social media posts against govt, officials to drive action by Bihar Police

News updates at 1 pm: Govt wants to end protests somehow, says farmers' leader
- Here are today’s top news, analysis and opinion at 1 PM. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.

Mhada to draw lottery for over 5600 houses in Pune division

Learn from India’s performance in Australia: Modi at Tezpur varsity convocation

‘Poison inside sweets’: Farmers’ leader on Centre’s offer to suspend farm laws

More Indians stepping out; surge in flight, hotel bookings: Report

Congress Working Committee may hold organisational elections between May 15 and May 30

UPI platform to be updated, users may face inconvenience: NPCI
- NPCI has not specified the time it would take to update the system.

Chhattisgarh claims to have procured record paddy at MSP this season
- The official data also shows a big increase in the total number of registered paddy farmers, which now stands at 21.52 lakh.

CBI files case against Cambridge Analytica for Facebook data theft

'Containing Covid-19 strengthened India's health infrastructure': PM Modi
- PM Modi said India is entering its 75th year of Independence this year, adding that innumerable people from Assam have contributed to the nation's freedom struggle.

Cong may consider proposal to hold organisational poll between May 15 and May 30
