Congress demands inquiry into violence

AHMEDABAD, July 27: The Congress has accused the State Government of shielding the culprits of communal violence in the city and has dema...

AHMEDABAD, July 27: The Congress has accused the State Government of shielding the culprits of communal violence in the city and has demanded setting up of an inquiry commission by a sitting High Court Judge.

It has also dared the State Government to make public Intelligence Bureau reports on riots. Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president C D Patel told reporters here on Tuesday that the Government was suppressing these reports as they confirmed the involvement of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar outfits. “The forcible release of culprits in recent incidents at Dhanasuthar Pol and Gomtipur show that the police was not allowed to work independently,” he alleged.

Patel said the Congress had never tried to derive political mileage out of such situations, but the BJP was doing so unabashedly. “The Bharatiya Janata Party attempt to blame the Congress for the riots is childish…what prevents your Government from taking action against Congressmen if it is so sure of their involvement?” he asked.

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Patel said a delegation of Congress leaders would meet the State Governor and make a representation. And if need be, they will send a letter to the President.

Shankersinh Vaghela alleged that a secret meeting of VHP-Bajrang Dal was going on at Koteshwar where, “they are planning large-scale violence in Ahmedabad right at this moment”. He also said his name was being dragged in the conspiracy solely to avenge the arrest of VHP leader Pravin Togadia during his tenure. He said the Government did not have courage to bring to book the real culprits despite knowing them well.

Vaghela also ridiculed the Chief Minister urging the people to maintain peace. “What appeal? He (the CM) should take control of the situation and restore law and order,” he said.

Vaghela said the police department was a frustrated lot because it was being asked to let free the BJP men involved in riots. He said the BJP was holding innocent people to ransom.

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Former Chief Minister Chhabildas Mehta alleged that people were suffering due to fighting between BJP factions. CLP leader Amarsinh Chaudhary alleged that the riots were sponsored by the Government and that former MP Harin Pathak was moving around with rioting mobs and was getting the culprits freed from police custody.

He also accused the police of invoking different penal provisions for the same offence depending on the religion of the accused.