Patel accepts panel report

GANDHINAGAR, SEPT 24: The Keshubhai Patel Government has said it is not averse to'' ordering investigations into the cases referred to ...

GANDHINAGAR, SEPT 24: The Keshubhai Patel Government has said it is 8220;not averse to8221; ordering investigations into the cases referred to by the National Commission for Minorities NCM and granting the Gujarat Minorities Board GMB autonomy.

The cases referred to by the NCM are: alleged exhumation in a Christian cemetery in Kapadwanj in Kheda district; burning of the New Testament at a missionary school at Rajkot and the persecution of Muslims of Randhikpur and Sanjali villages in Dahod district as a fallout of inter-caste marriages.

The Commission also took strong exception to the BJP Government having reversed the previous Shankarsinh Vaghela government8217;s decision on GMB autonomy.

8220;The Government has just received a copy of the report containing the NCM recommendations, which will be implemented in right earnest after studying and discussing these with senior officials8221;, Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel told The Indian Express on Wednesday.

8220;My government is committed to protecting thelives and property of the minorities8221;, Patel asserted. He said the government was open to the NCM recommendation on autonomy. He also held talks with Welfare Department officials on how soon it could be done.

The commission had sent a report, based on its fact-finding team8217;s observations, on reported harassment of Christians and Muslims. The team had undertaken a three-day visit in August to the areas which had reported harassment and mob attacks by Vishwa Hindu Parishad-Bajrang Dal activists.

Minister of State for Home Haren Pandya said, 8220;The Government has placed under suspension Deputy Superintendent of Police B D Valvai in connection with the Sanjali incident and the process of chargesheeting those involved in this as well as the mission school incident has been initiated, while the exhumation case is sub-judice.8221;

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He added, 8220;Our response to the NCM recommendations is positive. The government is not averse to investigations by highest-level agencies, including the State Criminal InvestigationDepartment.8221;

The BJP Government8217;s move to reverse the decision on GMB autonomy had drawn flak from Opposition leaders who had accused it of being 8220;anti-minorities8221;. They had also complained to the NCM team about this, while former Rashtriya Janata Party minister of state for home Vipul Chaudhary addressed meetings in predominantly minority areas in the State to mobilise support against the government8217;s move.

Meanwhile, State Congress president C D Patel said the NCM also asked the government to punish officials who had failed in their duty during communal tension in parts of the State a few months ago. He said the NCM has asked the government to set up a separate department to address minorities8217; grievances.

Referring to the Central Government move on dismissing the Rabri Devi Government in Bihar, he said it should also recommend the Gujarat Government8217;s dismissal for failure on the law and order front.

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Quoting a Central Government report which said Gujarat stood fifth and Bihar seventh in terms ofcrime, Patel said the rising crime rate, inept handling of the Kandla cyclone, an inhuman approach to the Surat floods and a steep rise in prices of essential supplies were reasons enough for the government8217;s dismissal.