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Riot victims 'professional beggars'? BOO SP leader Atiq Ahmed

February 01, 2014 15:05 IST

Rubbing salt into the wounds of Muzaffarnagar riot victims, Samajwadi Party leader Atiq Ahmed has said that those living in the camps were "professional beggars".

"In every class, in every society, professional beggars are found. So, everyone knows that some of these beggars entered the riot camps," the former MP said.

"The victims were given Rs 15 lakhs and jobs. But the people being shown in the camps were professional beggars," he charged.

The Akhilesh Yadav government has been facing flak for the plight of the Muzaffarnagar riot victims with several parties criticising the government over the difficult circumstances in the relief camps.

The SP leadership recently came under attack over holding the annual 'Saifai Mahotsav' at SP supremo Mulayam Yadav's native village Saifai at a time when hundreds of victims of Muzaffarnagar riots were braving the harsh winter.

Do you see Atiq Ahmed’s remarks as the latest example of insensitivity to the pitiable state of victims staying in relief camps?

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