Demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the Mau communal riots, the Bahujan Samaj Party accused Mulayam Singh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday of shielding conspirators and rioters.

"We have information that the present government was trying to save the conspirators and rioters and any inquiry by a government official would not be impartial enough. Therefore, we demand a CBI inquiry into the riots," BSP national president Mayawati told reporters.

Alleging that there was a political conspiracy behind the Mau riots, she said that the government should have made adequate arrangements for the annual Dussehra celebrations, which had led to the riots.

"It needed to have been extra careful in view of Hindu and Muslim festivals falling almost simultaneously and sought central forces if required. But the government proved to be absolutely non-serious," she added.

• Situation in Mau under control

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said that Mau riots were the result of this 'freedom provided to anti-socials' under the Samajwadi Party dispensation.

Describing the situation there as worse than those in the days of partition, she said her party felt that the demand raised by certain sections to deploy army in the trouble-torn areas was justified.

Apprehending that the government could instigate more communal riots before the next assembly elections to deflect attention from its failure and misrule, she demanded that it be dismissed immediately.

A party delegation, she said had met the Governor yesterday and demanded the dismissal of the government and a CBI probe.

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