‘No demand to evict Muslims from Uttarakhand town’, traders’ organization tells authorities

The Asian Tribune

www.asiantribune.net

DEHRADUN: An organisation of the traders that had allegedly passed a resolution a few days ago, asking Muslims to leave a town in Uttarakhand state, has now backtracked and withdrawn its diktat.

It says that its demand was ‘misinterpreted’ and it had no such intention to target any specific group. The traders’ group in Khansar, a town in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand’, had drawn attention after news reports that it wanted Muslims to leave the town.

A resolution was earlier passed at the traders’ body that whoever allowed the Muslim families to stay further, will have fine levied on them. This news was published in local media, as well as national newspapers and was aired on TV channels.

Member of Parliament, Asaduddin Owaisi, had raised the issue and sought action. Meanwhile, the district administration took cognisance of the controversy and called the traders’ group.

Subsequently, the traders’ association told police that they had no such intention and that their message was about people living without proper verification, not against any community or specific group.

The traders’ body said that no one intended to disturb the peace. Earlier, media reported the group’s diktat and informed about the resolution that asked locals to face fine if those who rented properties to minority community, didn’t expel the tenants.