By M. Reyaz, TwoCircles.net,
Dhule, Mahrashtra: State Chief Minsiter Prithviraj Chavan today visited the riot hit northern town of Dhule and announced the overdue compensation for the victims of the January 6 riot. He also conceded to the demand for Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
State Home Minister RR Patil and Health Minister Suresh Shetty, who is also the Guardian Minister of Dhule, too accompanied the CM on his visit to the strife hit areas on Tuesday. Later talking to the press, he said, “Based on the information the government has received from DIG (Law & Order ) Javed Ahmed, it is announced that a retired high court judge would probe the entire incident.”
Families of deceased would get Rs 5 lakh compensation, while two persons whose legs were amputated will each get Rs 3 lakhs. Those, whose properties have been damaged, would also get compensation after proper assessment.
The CM has also assured the people that police personnel found guilty of indiscriminate firing leading to death of six people would be prosecuted after proper enquiry. Few constables, who were found indulging in destroying properties in video clips, have also been suspended.
On January 6, as the scuffle between two communities began over eatery bill, leading to stone pelting from both sides, injuring about 200 people, including several police personnel, cops opened fire. What is interesting, however, is that while mob from both sides were engaged in stone pelting, but bullets were fired only on Muslims.
Six people have died and several others were injured, including two persons whose limbs had to be cut off. Many people who were hit by bullets were not even part of the mob, but were accidently present in the Machhibazar market at that time.
Mumbai based social activist Feroze Mithiborwala, who visited Dhule after the incident, told TCN, “It was a minor scuffle between two groups that could have been controlled if local leadership had acted in time and police had shown more sensitivity.”
He questioned police action of directly ‘firing to kill’ instead of using rubber bullets or water canon to disperse the mob. He, however, expressed his happiness of the CM’s announcement, hailing it as “little victory.” He believed, “This is important for the healing of the wounds of the people of Dhule.”
Deputy Mayor of Dhule Haji Shawwal, along with 14 other Muslim councilors, had threatened to resign from the Dhule Municipal Corporation if proper enquiry and compensation were not announced. Speaking to TCN, he expressed his gratitude on the CM’s assurances, and added, “This will help restore some confidence amongst people.”
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