Priyanka Gandhi meets CAA violence victims in UP

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday made unscheduled visits to Muzaffarnagar and Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh to meet the families who bore the brunt of alleged "police excesses" following violent protests against the amended Citizenship Act or were affected by the clashes.

The Congress general secretary first went to Muzaffarnagar, where she visited the residences of some of those who were injured in the violence. She then proceeded to Meerut where she met the affected families at the outskirts of the town.

In Muzaffarnagar, She met Maulana Asad Raza Hussaini who was allegedly beaten up by the police in its crackdown on the violent anti-CAA protests. She was accompanied by Imran Masood, a party leader from Saharanpur.

"I will stand by you in this hour of distress," she told one of the victims in Muzaffarnagar.

Later she told mediapersons that people were beaten up mercilessly and even children and minors were not spared. A 22-year-old woman, who was seven-month pregnant, was also thrashed, she claimed.

Priyanka said she has highlighted each and every "police excess" in a lengthy memorandum to Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel during her visit to the state last week.

In neighbouring Meerut, the affected families assembled at one place on the outskirts of the town to meet the Congress leader where she listened to their problems.

The UP Police had stopped Priyanka and her brother and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi from entering Meerut town on December 24, citing prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC, as a result of which they had to return to Delhi, 60 km from there, without meeting the affected families.

At least five people were killed during the protests in Meerut.

Earlier, Priyanka had gone to Bijnor and met the families of those killed in the violent clashes there.

Officials maintain that 19 people were killed in the state during the violent protests, though the opposition claims a higher toll.