The Hindu : Treat rioters as terrorists, PM told

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 03, 2002

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Treat rioters as terrorists, PM told
By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 2. The Islamic Council of India has urged the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, to take stringent action against those who have been indulging in mindless violence in Gujarat for the past three days.

In a letter to Mr. Vajpayee, the chairman of the council, Qari Mohammad Mian Mazhari, demanded a ``free and fair'' judicial inquiry to bring out the truth and expose the partial role played by the State administration. Gujarat should be handed over to the Army to stop the large-scale destruction and the perpetrators of violence treated as terrorists, he said.

Qari Mazhari said the State Government should be asked to provide financial rehabilitation to the riot victims. Without referring to the Ayodhya issue, he said steps should be taken to resolve contentious issues amicably so that the conspiracy to sabotage peace and unity could be thwarted.

The Indian Union Muslim League MP, E. Ahamed, charged the Government with lacking the political will to curb the violence in Gujarat. Talking to reporters here, he said violence against the minority community was continuing in Ahmedabad and elsewhere in the State.

``There is total anarchy and law and order machinery has collapsed. There is reluctance on the part of police to intervene. Our image of a pluralistic society and secularism has been tarnished by the Gujarat Government. Democratic institutions have to raise their voices to bring order and peace.''

Mr. Ahamed appealed to the Government to take firm steps to control the situation.

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