Govt not serious on fake encounters, alleges CPM

New Delhi, Apr 30 (UNI) The CPI(M) today came down heavily on the UPA government for showing ''no serious concern'' on the killing of 21 people belonging to a particular community in fake encounters in Gujarat while asserting that the proposed Prevention of Communal Violence Bill was not the only answer to the ''gross violation of the people's right to life''.

''It is highly deplorable that Home Minister Shivraj Patil did not utter a single word on these killings in his reply to the debate on the Demands for Grants of his ministry,'' senior party leader Mohammad Salim told mediapersons here.

At the party's formal press briefing in Parliament since the resumption of the Budget session post-recess, the CPI(M) Deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Mr Salim said the killing of such large number of people in police encounters was not a mere law and order problem.

Referring to the report of the Standing Committee on the proposed Bill on communal violence, the senior leftist said his party did not approve of the present draft and had registered its objections in this regard. ''We have suggested certain amendments in the Bill.'' ''It is unfortnuate that the Government has not taken the desired steps despite the Supreme Court strictures against the Narendra Modi government, various parties including the Left demanding Centre's intervention and the MPs dharna on Parliament premises over the issue.'' Replying to a specific query why the Home Minister was not showing adequate concern, he said ''I fail to read his mind...Mr Patil must be scared. He should have mustered enough courage to take appropriate action.'' On the latest reports on the missing widow of Soharabuddin Sheikh, he said ''It is most likely that she might also have been killed as well.'' By now everyone knows that Mr Modi has turned the state into a test case for hardcore Hindutva, the CPM leader alleged.

He also referred to certain reports emanating from Rajasthan on atrocities against members of the minority community. ''Still deplorable, reports of involvement of police in similar incidents are coming from Andhra Pradesh as well.'' He reminded the UPA that the coalition came to power on the plank of restoring secular ethos, provide protection and justice to the minorites and undo the wrongdoings to the Muslims in Gujarat.

UNI