The Hindu : People are still insecure in Gujarat: NHRC chief

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 25, 2002

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People are still insecure in Gujarat: NHRC chief

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI, MARCH 24. The Chairperson 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, Mr. 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''.

He said that while the Godhra carnage was "gruesome'', the incidents that followed were "equally gruesome''. It was disturbing to learn that the houses of even judges were targeted.

He said though the Gujarat Chief Minister had asserted that normality had been restored within 72 hours during his visit three weeks after the Godhra incident, he found no normality. A "sense of insecurity'' prevailed among the people of all religions.

He said he had emphasised to the Gujarat Chief Minister the need for "generating and inspiring confidence'' among the people. Describing the poor conditions of the camps, he said these reflected the sorry state of affairs. He regretted that no Minister or high-ranking official had visited the relief camps.

The sight of the burnt rail bogie at Godhra and the accounts narrated by the victims, including women, at the camps and elsewhere in the State had "shocked'' him.

He welcomed the calling off of the VHP's proposed `asthi yatra', and said it could have caused further "inflammation'' to the already surcharged atmosphere. He wanted the State Government to take all precautions in view of `Muharram' and `Holi' festivals falling next week.

Mr. Justice Varma wanted the State administration to give "top-most priority'' to restore normality, peace and harmony and instil a sense of security among the people of all religions and ensure rehabilitation of the survivors.

Blaming the officials for their "inaction'' and "inefficiency'' to prevent such incidents, he said he had reminded them that they need not seek permission to perform duties under the law.

`They must act'

Referring to media reports that the top police officers in Gujarat had requested the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, to give them a free hand, he said, "the police officers should not ask permission to perform their duty under the law. They must act''. Mr. Justice Verma said he had told the officials that there should be a "fair, impartial and thorough'' inquiry and "there should be no distinction of victims on the basis of religion''.

"Perpetrators of the crimes were all criminals and offenders and must be classified according to the offences committed".

Asked whether the Gujarat Government decided not to use POTO at the instance of the Commission, he said his views on POTO were well known. But he had told the officials that "if it (POTO) is made a law, it should be applied equally and not selectively''.

Mr. Justice Verma said the full Commission which was awaiting a comprehensive report from the State Government would meet soon on the issue and decide the future course of action.

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