By TCN Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: In a cover-up exercise to pacify anger of Muslims from across the country over the police cruelty upon Meo Muslims during the communal clash in Gopalgarh area of Bharatpur district on Sept. 14, the Rajasthan government has suspended top police brass of the district including DM, Krishn Kunal, SP, Anlaj Dan and DSP, Om Prakash. It also removed IG, Sunil Datt from the district.
The decision was taken last night at a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to review law and order in the state. The decision came just a day before Meo Muslims with the support of several Muslim organizations were to organize a rally on 30th Sept. at India Gate in national capital demanding strict action against police officials and removal of the state home minister Shanti Dhariwal.
It was September 14, 2011 when a clash erupted between Gujjars and Meo Muslims over a land about which one group claimed to be graveyard while another claimed to be pond. However, responsible members of both the communities were making efforts to reach a compromise. But some anti-social elements did not let it happen and two parties clashed with each other. Instead of taking measures to control the violence, the local police allegedly opened fire on Meo Muslims killing 10 and wounding scores others.
Right after the horrible incident, various civil groups and Muslim organizations have been demanding removal of state home minister Shanti Dhariwal and suspension of DM, SP, DSP and other guilty police officials.
Chander Khan, father of Mohammad Iqbal Khan who was killed in Police firing during the clash, lodged an FIR holding responsible DM, Krishna Kunal and SP, Anlaj Dan and six other police officials for murder of his son .
The state government on its part earlier removed the DM, SP and entire staff of Gopalgarh police station but it did not do much to pacify the critics. But now feeling the heat of anti-government protests particularly by minorities, the state government has decided to suspend DM, SP and DSP. Earlier, the government has also announced a CBI and a judicial probe into the killings.