E-Paper
Spl package for Gujarat victims demanded
MUSLIM FORUM for National Integration president Manzoor Ahmad has demanded compensation for victims of Gujarat riots as had been done to those of the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. The forum also demanded dismissal of the Narendra Modi-led Gujarat Government.
MUSLIM FORUM for National Integration president Manzoor Ahmad has demanded compensation for victims of Gujarat riots as had been done to those of the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. The forum also demanded dismissal of the Narendra Modi-led Gujarat Government.
Ahmad, who has been Director General of Police of UP and vice-chancellor of Agra University, applauded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his intervention in the anti-Sikh riot case but said, “more than 3.50 lakh victims of Gujarat riot need immediate rehabilitation.”
A total compensation of Rs 714 crore had been awarded to anti-Sikh riot victims and similar compensation must be awarded to victims of Gujarat riots, demanded Ahmad.
Elaborating on the work undertaken by the forum, Ahmad pointed out that the forum was not Muslim specific and had taken up the cause of victims of Garhwal earthquake. “It was only after a PIL was filed at the Supreme Court by the Forum that the victims were awarded compensation and were rehabilitated,” he said.
Demanding the dismissal of the Gujarat Government, Ahmad stated that National Human Rights Commission had already stated in its report the indifferent attitude of the State Government towards the rehabilitation of riots victims.
“NHRC categorically stated in its report that the role of the State Government is non-cooperative,” asserted Ahmad. He added that NHRC in its final report on Gujarat 2002 carnage clearly stated that there was a comprehensive failure of the State to protect the constitutional rights of the people of Gujarat, starting with the tragedy in Godhra on February 27, 2002.
Taking a dig at the respective central governments, Ahmad stated that they have done nothing to check riots. Several commissions were set-up to probe the riots, but reports were never tabled, Ahmad claimed.
But now the Right to Information Act would be used to pressurise the government to submit these reports, remarked Ahmad.
Members of the Forum also pointed out that they were against any form of demonstration and would launch a signature campaign in UP, Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad for justice to victims of Gujarat riots.
