‘Modi told me: Focus on Muslim militants’

Excerpts from the diary:

• April 22, 2002: The Chief Secretary Shri G. Subba Rao convened a meeting to discuss normalisation measures. ACS (Home) Shri Ashok Narayan, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Shri Panneervel, Secretary Varesh Sinha, Shri Sahu, etc. were also present. I raised the problem of the Muslim Community not having any faith in the State Administration. I also suggested that the police should arrest soon those Hindu leaders involved in the heinous crimes committed during the recent communal riots. The Chief Secretary said such action is not possible immediately as it is against the State Govt policy.

The CS said that Secretaries should conduct Mohalla level meetings and interact with local people for redressal of their grievances.

Shri Sahu said that the first problem, which is likely to be raised by the locals, would be early apprehension of Hindu goons, who massacred the Muslims. The CS replied that in the Mohalla meetings, if such a question is raised by anybody the Secretary should answer that it is a matter of legal procedure and so this Mohalla Committee cannot do anything.

The CS also directed that I should also attend some Mohalla Committee meetings.

• May 7,2002: The Chief Minister summoned me at his chamber and asked my assessment about the continuing communal violence in Ahmedabad.

In response, I referred to him about my analytical note on communal situation in Ahmedabad.

The CM told me that he had read my note and observed that I had drawn wrong conclusion basing on partial data and defective presumptions. In his view the violence unleashed by the Hindus mob after Godhra incident on 27/02/2002 was a natural, uncontrollable reaction and no police force can control or contain the same.

I argued with him that such an excuse cannot be taken by authorities, particularly police department, who is bound by law to maintain public order.

The CM became defensive and had taken a stand that he had given a free hand to the DGP, CP Ahmedabad, and other police officers to take legal action against miscreants on 27/02/2002 in a meeting. But the police officers did not discharge their duties expected of them.

He asked me to concentrate on Muslim militants. After assuring him to do the needful, I requested him to initiate action to win confidence of minority community as delineated in my note. He was annoyed about my insistence on this point and argued that Muslims are on the offensive, keeping alive their belligerent posture. Quoting statistics of high casualty of Muslims due to police firing, riots, etc. I appealed to him to see reason and accept that Hindus are on the offensive.

The CM instructed that I should not concentrate on Sangh Parivar, as they are not doing anything illegal. I replied that my duty is to report on any developing situation and provide advanced actionable preventive, real time intelligence having a bearing on public order, unity and integrity of India, etc. what I meant was that I have to watch Sangh Parivar also.

The CM understood the import of my words and asserted that he (CM) can be my ‘‘source’’ for covering Sangh Parivar and I need not labour for creating other sources. (It was a clear hint that I should not bother to collect data on Sangh Parivar).

The CM wanted me to get data on ‘Amanpath,’ suspected to be a Muslim group.

• June 28, 2002: The Chief Secretary Shri G.Subba Rao convened a meeting of officers to review situation arising/prevailing in Ahmedabad city in the context of the proposed Rathyatra on 12/7/2002… During the discussion, I have proposed for cancellation of Rathyatra on 12/7/2002, in view of vitiated communal atmosphere, presence of a highly discontented Muslim youth, who are keen to undertake retributive revengeful action for the inhuman atrocities perpetrated against Muslims by VHP and BD-led Hindu mobs. I gave details of intelligence inputs received from Central agencies about plans of pan-Islamic militants and Muslim terrorists to cause harm to Rathyatra and Hindus.

CP Ahmedabad had fully endorsed my view… CS Shri Subba Rao informed that there is no question of cancelling Rathyatra as CM has taken a firm decision to permit Rathyatra through the traditional route.

CS wanted the officials to take all precautionary measures to provide effective security to the Rathyatra. Various suggestions were given by me, SIB, DGP, etc. about counter sabotage/access control measure, etc.

After the formal meeting the CS talked to me personally and suggested that if some one is trying to disturb Rathyatra or planning to spoil the same that PERSON BE ELIMINATED. He added that this is the policy and well considered decision of the Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

I responded that such a totally illegal action cannot be taken on legal unethical grounds.

I added that if somebody is found indulging in arson or killing of others only such an action of elimination can be resorted to by the police.

Thereafter, the CS observed that such action can be taken on the basis of SITUATIONAL LOGIC.

I replied that police is a creature of law and it cannot take any action, which is not legally justified.

At the end he asked me to renew our efforts to collect Advance, Actionable, Preventive, Real Time Intelligence.

PART-I