MINORITIES - 2002 - Indian Social Institute

Ahmedabad, March 24: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi had confidently declared on March 1
that he would control the "riots resulting from the natural and justified anger of the people" within 72 hours.
More than five hundred hours later, Gujarat continues to burn. Intensified bouts of. violence have led to a
complete breakdown of law and order machinery in the state. Even if the Godhra train massacre was an
act of terrorism and its aftermath was state-sponsored violence, the present bout of violence is not
retaliation or backlash. The situation in Gujarat has deteriorated so much that most of the gory violence
signifies a complete collapse of the law and order situation. The Modi government has completely failed in
controlling the situation. The police, which was earlier restrained from taking action against Sangh
loyalists, is completely clueless and confused. (Asian Age 25.3.02)
25 th March
Pro-VHP officer to probe worst massacres (7)
Ahmedanacl, March 24: The VHP has prevailed upon the Narendra Modi government to appoint an officer
of its choice to probe two heinous violence cases in Ahmedabad — former Congress MP Ehsaan Jaffrey's
murder and butchering of 59 labourers at Naroda. The Gujarat police is distressed with the VHP
functioning as a parallel authority and deciding which officers its wants for probe fnto violence. Despite a
strong representation from a section of the Gujarat police that the Gulbarg Society killings and the Naroda
massacre need a proper investigation, the Narcndra Modi government has appointed an officer of the
VHP's choice to conduct the probe. Top government sources told The Asian Age on Sunday that the VHP
managed to get assistant commissioner of police P.N. Barot appointed for the probe. Incidentally, both the
cases do not fall under the jurisdiction of Mr Barot, who is well known for his VHP connection. (Asian Age
25.3.02)
25 th March
People are still insecure in Gujarat: NHRC (7)
NEW DELHI, MARCH 24. The Chair -person of the National Human Rights Commission, J.S. Verma,
today deplored the pathetic conditions in the riot-hit areas of Gujarat and said "people are still insecure"
and the fear psychosis continued to prevail. Giving his impressions of the three-day visit to Gujarat at a
press conference, 4Mr. Justice Verma was critical of the State administration for its failure to anticipate
and control things, whether it was the Godhra train tragedy or the incidents that followed it. Although he
declined to say whether there was any collusion between the State administration and the perpetrators of
violence in these incidents, Mr. Justice Verma said, "things could have been better and all that happened
could have been averted". He further said, "If some unusual things happen, it must be because of
certain failure". (Hindu 25.3.02)
25th March
Speculation over Poto’s withdrawal in Godhra case (7)
GANDHINAGAR: Who was responsible for application of Poto in cases pertaining to the accused in the
Godhra train massacre? While the government on Friday decided to defer the application of Poto in the
case of the 62 persons arrested in Godhra for the attack on Sabarmati Express, questions persist about
whose idea it was to impose Poto in the first place and why did the government subsequently backtrack.
Interestingly, when asked for his comments, chief minister Naren-dra Modi said "maybe some local
policeman could have thought of it". He had earlier described the Godhra incident as an act of terrorism
.There are various theories floating around on why Poto was withdrawn from the Godhra case. While the
government has stated it was done following legal opinion by the advocate general, others believe that it
was done at the instance of the Prime Minister's office following pressure from the NDA allies. (Times of
India 25.3.02)
26 th March
Agnivesh to sit on relay fast (7)
NEW DELHI: Social activW Swami Agnivesh will sit on a daylong fast near Jantar Man-tar on TUesday
to protest against the communal riots in Gujarat and to express solidarity with the victims of violence. The
fast is a part of the protests organised by Aman Ekta Manch, an association of several women's and
secular grqups of the city. "This is an effort to highlight the Gujarat government's failure to prevent
riots. We demand dismissal of the state government," Swami Agnivesh said. He will be the third person