Date:29/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/29/stories/2005122906851200.htm

National

A rights violation, says Congress

Special Correspondent

"Home Ministry seeks information from the State Government"

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday described the finding of a mass grave in Panchmahals district of Gujarat as a ``gross violation of human rights and unfortunate.''

The party said the Centre has asked the State Government to send a report on it.

``This is very unfortunate and gross violation of human rights. There cannot be another cruder example of killing of human beings... what was shown was heart wrenching,'' the AICC general secretary, Janardan Dwivedi said at a party briefing.

Mr. Dwivedi said the Home Ministry has sought information from the Gujarat Government on the issue. A CBI team has already left for Gujarat, he claimed.

Earlier, AICC Media Department head and general secretary, Ambika Soni, accused the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi of ``attempting'' to run the State by instilling ``fear and social tension'' among people.

She said what happened during Mr. Modi's tenure had lowered the image of the country in the comity of nations, and accused him of trying to create social tension through his speeches.

Meanwhile, the Congress refused to react to the developments in the Bharatiya Janata Party as also the Sanjay Joshi episode. ``It is their internal matter and the BJP has already taken a decision [in regard to Joshi episode]," he said.