'Rahul's charges of burning of men, rape baseless'

Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday dismissed as baseless Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi's allegations about burning of people and rape of women in Bhatta Parsaul, rocked by farmers' agitation on land acquisition issue, and said preliminary forensic reports of ashes collected from the area have ruled out presence of any human remains.

Addressing a press conference on behalf of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, the state's cabinet secretary Shashank Shekar Singh said preliminary forensic reports have not found any human bone or remains. "There are traces of melted synthetic in the ash," he said.

Terming the charge on 74 people being killed there and women raped as "baseless and an effort to malign the state government", he suggested restraint over airing views which later require clarifications.

"It would be better if restraint is exercised and such baseless allegations are not issued which require clarifications later", he said. The UP cabinet secretary said it was "most unfortunate that fake rape charges were made and they amount to playing with the honour of women. There had been no complaint of rape from the women of the Bhatta Parsaul".

"A detailed report on traces would be received in three to four days," he said adding the need for forensic test was felt to ascertain whether explosives had been used. Singh said ash would not have been left behind in the villages had there been any truth in the rumours of people being set on fire.

Responding to Rahul Gandhi's question as to why prohibitory orders were enforced in the villages in case things were normal there, Singh said it was promulgated only when the Congress sought a permission to hold a meeting there, fearing law and order problem. "It would be in force for some more time to ensure that anti-social elements do not disturb peace and order and the administration there is alert," he said.

There is, however, no ban on anyone going there and the media is freely reporting from there," he added. Counselling the Congress not to indulge in "petty politics", Singh said if the party is so worried about farmers they should work for them in the party-ruled Maharashtra as also Orissa where land was being "forcibly" acquired. "The chief minister has advised the Congress not to waste its time in UP," he concluded.