Chavan orders judicial probe in dhule riots

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday announced judicial probe in the riots that took place in Dhule in north Maharashtra on January 6.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday announced judicial probe in the riots that took place in Dhule in north Maharashtra on January 6.

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“Though a magisterial probe was ordered earlier, it has now been decided to conduct a judicial probe to find out what happened in Dhule,” he said.

Chavan also promised action under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act if there was adequate evidence against those behind the riots.

“The one member committee will be requested to submit its report at the earliest. The reasons behind the riots, measures to be taken to avoid such types of the skirmishes would be part of the terms of the references,” Chavan said in a press conference at the district collector office.

The chief minister announced a relief package of Rs. 5 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, and Rs. 3 lakh for those who lost their limbs in the clashes.

The riots and subsequent police firing claimed five lives and left more than 200 injured. Those injured included 19 police officers and 102 constables.