The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on Monday recommended a judicial inquiry into the police firing in Vadodra, saying the protest over the municipal demolition of a centuries-old mausoleum in Gujarat could have been dealt with "tact".
Two people were killed as police opened fire to break up a violent protest over the demolition of a mausoleum, at Vadodara's Champaner Gate area by the city's municipal authorities. Thirteen people were injured in stone-pelting.
"It (police action) is an instance of excessive use of force in a situation that could have been handled with tact," the NCM said in a statement in New Delhi.
The religious rights watchdog also rejected claims of city authorities that demolition drive aimed at clearing illegal construction work.
"It stands to reason that a structure that pre-dates a master plan cannot be put to the category of 'encroachment'. Nor could it be the policy of the government to pull down historical monuments," the NCM said.
The Commission recommended the Gujarat government hold a judicial probe into the police action to ascertain whether firing could have been avoided on the protesters.
{{/usCountry}}The Commission recommended the Gujarat government hold a judicial probe into the police action to ascertain whether firing could have been avoided on the protesters.
{{/usCountry}}Also, it called for investigations into designating the city dargah as an encroachment.