Ahead of the elections in Bihar, the Nitish Kumar government tabled the final report of Justice (retd) N N Singh inquiry commission on the 1989 Bhagalpur riots in the assembly on Friday.
The commission has identified 85 cases of sale of houses or land under “distress or duress” and has asked the government to restore the properties to their original owners. It has also suggested the government to look at the provisions of Jammu & Kashmir Immovable Property Act to help avoid litigation for the restoration of the properties.
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The commission has identified 125 officials, including those from IAS, IPS and state services, against whom it has recommended action for their negligence and acts of omissions and commissions during the riots in which around 1,000 people were killed. While several of them are currently on Central deputation, others had joined Jharkhand cadre following the bifurcation of Bihar in 2000. Also, some of the indicted officials have retired.
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The commission, which was set up in 2006, submitted its report to the government February 28 this year. The timing of tabling of the final report assumes significance because of the coming assembly polls in the state.
In its action taken report, which was also tabled in the assembly along with the report, the government said that it has set up a five-member committee under chief secretary to implement the recommendations of the commission.
The government said that home secretary has initiated the process of taking action against those officials in the state who have been named by the commission. Regarding others who are at present on Central deputation or posted in Jharkhand, the state government has asked Centre and Jharkhand to furnish their details.
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