MATHURA: BJP MP Hema Malini, who has been drawing flak over posting pictures of her movie shoot at a time when her Parliamentary constituency Mathura was hit by violence, has demanded for a CBI probe into the whole incident.
"Nearly 3000 people with weapons were there, wasn't the administration aware of it? They were aware, but was unable to handle the situation," Malini said.
"The state government should have taken proper action to eradicate encroachment. Only after the High Court order, they tried to remove the protestors. The BJP demands a CBI enquiry into the whole incident," he added.
Malini took to twitter again, targeting the media for ‘diverting the attention from the main issue’-the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh.
"In Mathura&condoled with the bereaved families.I still can't understand how the great media thinks the sansad is responsible for law & order. They seem to be diverting attn frm the main issue -tht law & order is purely the state govt's responsibility.Why target me? I'm doing my job (sic)," she said in a series of tweets.
Citing the example of Rawal village of Mathura, the renowned actress, said that anyone in the city would vouch for her sincerity as she was improving living conditions, providing roads and drinking water.
"A sansad's duty is not to head the police force or quell rebels or evict encroachers. Development is my line of duty and I'm sincere in my job. I invite all those who are blasting me without reason and who have not stepped into Mathura and yet are ready to accuse, to come and see for themselves," she added.
The 67-year-old actress claimed that she was dedicating so much time to Mathura that sometimes she sees her family and her house after many days.
"I'm dedicating so much time to Mathura. Sometimes it is days before I even see my family or my house. I’m attending to public needs sincerely. What do I get in return for my sincerity? Brickbats and loud accusations. I sincerely thank all of you who have supported me in this controversy," she said.
Meanwhile, the BJP MP visited the policemen injured during the Mathura violence at the Nayati hospital.
"I have come here to see the police personnel. They have been badly beaten. I think it will take one or two months to recover. It is very sad. I have given them assurance," Malini told the media.
"The police personnel told me that they wore all the equipments. But the protestors started firing at them keeping children at the front," she added.
The actress, who came under criticism for tweeting pictures of her upcoming movie when Mathura was hit by one of the worst violence, had yesterday defended herself saying that she was unaware of the happenings as she was busy in her shooting.
She said being an artiste, she had given appointment for shooting for six days, which she had done.
"People are saying that there was an encroachment from over two years. But as per my knowledge, it is only for the last two months that the agitaters encroached that place. I was asking the DM how did it happen," Malini said.
The renowned actress also said the incident could have been avoided had the Uttar Pradesh Government provided extra force to control the agitators, which the administration had been asking for the last two months.
"The incident could have been avoided. The administration was asking for extra power to control the agitators, but the UP Government did not provide them with the authority to go ahead. I was on a shoot, thus was unaware of the incident. I tweeted just like that. How would I know that the incident was going to happen? My people in Mathura told me that the situation is under control, and there is no need for me to go there," she added.
She also called on the Akhilesh Yadav-led Government to take care of the law and order properly which, according to her, had not been able to do at least in this case.
Malini in a series of tweets, earlier that day, had shared the location of the shoot of her upcoming flick and her pleasant boat ride.
"I was pleasantly surprised to see a vast change ths time thks to Shri Gopal Shetty. The pathways leading to the boat in Versova are smooth (sic)," Malini tweeted.
"The journey to Madh Island used to be tedious those days. It used to be a 2 hr journey by road or by ferry the approach to which was horrible," she said.
"Shooting at Madh island for Ek Thi Rani-a film based on the life of HH Vijaya Raje Scindia revived after many years.I play the title role," she tweeted.
"Hoping for an early release of this film," she said.
Realising that she had committed a blunder, Malini, however, soon withdrew her tweet and expressed grief over the loss of lives.
"I just came bk frm Mathura & got the news of the violence tht has taken place there in which policemen have lost their lives," Malini tweeted.
"So so upset by ths news frm a place which is so dear to me Will go there again if my presence is required. My heart goes out to the bereaved," she said.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Thursday’s Mathura clash has risen to 24. Those killed include Mathura Superintendent of Police (City) Mukul Dwivedi, Farah Police Station SHO Santosh Yadav and 20 protesters. More than 40 people have been injured in the incident.
The incident took place when the Swadheen Bharat Subhash Sena (SBSS) activists opened fire at the police party that attempted to evict the Jawahar Park late last evening.