Dhule Police Rampage - People from Gujarat may have crossed over, says panel chief - The Indian Express, Mumbai, India

Citizen Journalists at Dhule Smartphones bring in paradigm change in parameter of justice for communal riot victims in India. For the first time, a video clip is circulating on Facebook, where stark brutality of Police in Dhule communal riots, is recorded by a 'citizen journalist' and State Government is at a loss as how to deal with such graphic proof of police brutality against Muslims who had to bury 6 Muslims dead in police firing. The footage of the police rampage is shocking. Maharashtra's Sonia Congress Chief Minister Prathviraj Chavan and Sharad Pawar's NCP member, Home Minister RR Patel have tough time trying to save the pampered Police mafia that has held them hostage. In 65 years of independent India, thousands of communal riots against Muslims did not stand judicial scrutiny for lack of evidence. It was only in 2002 Gujarat Riot that due to political compulsions of Congress opposing its rival BJP, that first effort were witnessed bringing perpetrators of atrocities to justice. Though a spate of covering crime scene areas with CCTV is bringing another change in the security parameters of urban India, the CCTV being the property of the ruling government, is widely believed to be subject to manipluation. Now with millions of cell phones with camera and video facilities in the hands of common people has completely changed the prospect of bring in criminals in the grip of justice. Still political compulsions die hard. The way Maharashtra government is pussyfooting the entire outrageous one sided violence unleashed by criminals, both from public and police force appearing to be hand in glove with each other, it is perforce trying to maintain peace. However, if the trend of 'citizen journalists' using latest gadgets to capture and instantly upload live coverage of such genocidal attacks to world media continues, that should hopeflly will put a cautionary stop to future events planned by communal elements that has given no respite to India to follow a peaceful route to human development. Ghulam Muhammed, Mumbai <ghulammuhammed3@gmail.com> PS. Times of India, which can spare even two full pages on minor events daily, has been conspicuously silent on any detailed coverage of the Dhule communal riots; giving rise to public perception in Muslim community that as always, Times of India is heavily prejudiced against Muslims. ------------------- http://www.indianexpress.com/news/people-from-gujarat-may-have-crossed-over-says-panel-chief/1060524/0 People from Gujarat may have crossed over, says panel chief Express news service : Mumbai, Thu Jan 17 2013, 02:29 State Minorities Commission chairman Munaf Hakeem on Wednesday said there was a possibility that people from Gujarat crossed over the border and instigated violence on January 6 in Dhule. Dhule borders Gujarat and the riots in the district 10 days ago claimed six lives, all local Muslims. Interacting with The Indian Express editorial staff, Hakeem said, “Our investigations have found out that there has been no involvement of any local organisation in the riots. There is possibility that people crossed over from the border from Gujarat to instigate violence and this angle needs to be probed.” Hakeem said during his interaction with the riot affected people many had claimed that people from outside their region had led the violence. “In many cases, people wearing police uniforms were seen destroying property. The judicial commission investigating the Dhule riots needs to inquire whether they were genuine policemen,” he said. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan ordered a judicial commission after his Dhule visit on Tuesday. The Minorities Commission that surveyed the localities and houses targeted in Dhule found the use of freshly-baked red bricks. “There are no brick-making units in the nearby vicinity,” Hakeem said. Houses of both Hindus and Muslims along the fish market were damaged, he said, adding that the objects used for attacking these houses were the same. “Broken glass collected from the areas were of the same kind and indicate the same group indulged in the attack,” he pointed out. The commission chairman dismissed that acid was used to fuel the riots. Hakeem said, “I personally visited the hospitals and could not find a single case of acid burns.” The final report would shed light on all these issues, he added. Besides claiming six lives, the Dhule riots left 200 injured after members of two communities clashed over a Rs 30 bill for a lunch at a roadside vendor. -------------------