Indian Express

Minister not happy with police action

ZEESHAN SHAIKH Posted online: Wed Jan 09 2013, 01:42 hrs
Dhule : Maharashtra minister for minority affairs Arif Naseem Khan appeared to substantiate the accusation of excesses by Dhule Police in dispersing a rioting mob when he said here Tuesday he was not happy with how police handled the situation.

Khan was speaking after meeting riot victims. “I am not at all happy with the police action. I have sought a judicial inquiry,” he said.

Four members of the minority community died in police firing to control the mob Sunday. The community complained police acted in a biased manner hurling religious taunts while shooting and beating up people, including women.

Police allegedly targeted local media. A journalist and a cameraman of a TV channel were assaulted, while another reporter was threatened.

State Minorities Commission chairman Munaf Hakeem, who also visited the riot-affected areas, said state police seemed to treat people as enemies rather than citizens.

“This is not a good precedent.” Police defended the action saying they were singled out for attack.

“Injuries to police tell the story. I cannot recollect another such attack,” DGP (law & order) Javed Ahmed said. He has been asked to conduct a departmental inquiry into the conduct of police during the riots.

Ahmed said the state will take a slew of measures, including increasing police presence on the ground, in the next few days.

Meanwhile, curfew continued in the riot-affected areas.