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NHRC chairman 'disturbed and shocked' by Gujarat visit

Priyanka Tikoo in New Delhi

A 'disturbed and shocked' chairman of National Human Rights Commission Justice J S Verma on Saturday spoke of a 'sense of insecurity' among the people of riot-hit areas in Gujarat and called for 'strong confidence-building measures by the state government'.

"It will take me two more days to come over what I have seen and heard in various violence-hit areas in Gujarat," the former Chief Justice of India, who was back from visiting Ahemdabad, Godhra and Vadodara on Friday night, said.

"I cannot even narrate what I have been told by the women victims. It is horrible and inhuman. I am really very disturbed over it," he said.

Describing the situation as 'far from being normal' even after nearly a month has passed since the Godhra rail tragedy happened, Verma said the administration should feel a 'sense of urgency' towards bringing the situation to normalcy in the state.

"People should be secure irrespective of their religion," he said.

Taking a tough stand, the NHRC chairman, who had already rejected the preliminary report by the Gujarat government describing it as 'perfunctory', said the Commission has demanded a comprehensive report by the state government 'within next four-five days'.

"If they fail to do so, the Commission will rely on the material it has gathered during the visit and pass an order," he said.

Suggesting that an investigation should be undertaken in major incidents such as Godhra and Gulburga housing society killings in Ahemdabad, Verma said, "The specifics of the matter will be taken in the full Commission meeting considering its urgency and importance."

"The investigation should be done by a prompt, effective and impartial agency," he said.

Asked if he will recommend CBI inquiry into the incidents, he said, "I cannot say specifically but we will take a decision only after discussing the issue in the Commission."

"I do not think people who have perpetrated violence have anything to do with religion, whether it was Godhra or carnage after that. They all should be treated as criminals and punished uniformly," Verma, who conveyed the same views to the state Chief Minister Narendra Modi, said.

"I am happy that the state government has realised the same and booked them under IPC instead of using POTO against some and other provisions against others," he said.

Modi announced on Friday that people arrested for Godhra incident would be booked under IPC provisions and not under POTO as decided earlier.

On compensation to the victims, the NHRC Chairman said, "The compensation is secondary issue, basic is to bring the situation to normalcy and create a sense of security among the people of the state irrespective of their religion."

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