By Mohammed Siddique, TwoCircles.net,
Hyderabad : The Andhra Pradesh government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to the kith and kin of the ten people who were killed in communal riots of Bhainsa and Vatoli village in Adilabad district last week. However in case of Bhainsa violence the ex gratia will be paid only if the victims were proved innocent.
The decision was taken by the Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy at a high level review meeting in Hyderabad on Wednesday even as the day curfew was lifted form Bhainsa town in view of improvement in situation.
Taking note of the fact that a large number of shops and houses were looted and burnt in a systematic manner, the government has also decided to pay compensation to all the victims.
The Chief Minister announced that for the people who lost their property in the violence in Bhainsa, up to Rs. 50,000, loss will be compensated in full and above Rs. 50,000/- , 75% loss will be compensated with a maximum ceiling of Rs. 4 lakhs. The government will also give one month ration including 20 kgs of rice, one kg dal and one litre edible oil to the poor families of Bhainsa in view of the prolonged curfew imposed in the area.
A team of senior officials including the additional director general of police, law and order A K Khan and DGP (CBCID) Shiva Narayana has already reached Bhainsa to look in to the dereliction of duty by the policemen. Six investigations teams were also being formed to probe the incidents of violence. The Chief Minister described the incidents at Bhainsa and Vatoli as very unfortunate.
The decisions were taken after a delegation of Muslim Muttaheda Majlis-e-Amal led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi met the Chief Minister and demanded to know why he had not visited Bhainsa even six days after the incidents. Clarifying his position the Chief Minister told the delegation that it was due to the circumstances beyond his control he could not go there. He said on Sunday he was in Sricilla but there was no sufficient fuel in helicopter for him to visit Bhainsa. Next day he went to New Delhi to attend the meeting of the National Integration Council.
The Home Minister K Jana Reddy minister for minority welfare Mohammed Ali Shabbir, director general of police SSP Yadav and the State Congress president D srinivas were also present in the meeting.
Asaduddin Owaisi strongly objected to the statement of the Home Minister that Vatoli incident was result of electric short circuit. “If the Home Minister makes misleading statement, how we can expect justice”, he asked.
On the demands of delegation he said he will decide action against the guilty police officials after visiting Bhainsa and Vatoli tomorrow. On the demand for banning of Bajrang Dal and other front organizations of Sangh Parivar, the Chief Minister said his government will soon write to the center recommending such an action.
The Chief Minister directed the DGP to immediately initiate the steps to handover the inquiry in to Vatoli incident to the CBI. Muslim delegation also wanted the government to remain alert as the anniversary of demolition of Babri Masjid and Idul Azha were approaching fast.
The delegation of Muslim community leaders reiterated that they will not be able to seek support of Muslims for Congress party if government fails to do justice to the victims of riots and prevent recurrence of such incidents.
“There is no need for any apprehension regarding this. Minorities will be safe here. The government is duty-bound to protect their life and properties. I assure you this. There is no question of any violence or attacks on minorities being allowed in the State and any such attempts will be firmly dealt with and such attempts will be put down with an iron hand”, he added.
The delegation included Moulana Hameedudidn Auqil Hussami, the president of MMA, Abdul Raheem Qureshi of Tameer-e-Millat, Abul Nasar Abir of Jamate-s-Islami and representatives of various other organizations.