Masjid blast: Inquiry into police firing begins

Hyderabad, June 11: The magisterial inquiry, ordered by the Andhra Pradesh Government, into the police firing which followed the bomb blast at the Mecca Masjid here on May 18 last, began today.

Special Executive Magistrate Ramesh Reddy started the inquiry at Hyderabad Collectorate here.

Police officials, including Rain Bazar Inspector Malla Reddy, authorities submitted several records to the magistrate.

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi also met the magistrate and submitted some documents to prove his argument that the firing was uncalled for and unwarranted.

Talking to newspersons, Mr Ramesh Reddy said the doctors, who had conducted the post-mortem on the bodies of those killed in the firing, would also be summoned for deposition.

Five persons were killed in the firing which the police described as an ''act of self-defence'' as the mob was trying to attack them.

He said the second sitting would be held next week after due publicity in the media. A report would be submitted to the government only after maximum possible public opinion and eye witness accounts were elicited.

Meanwhile, Mr Owaisi today urged the State Human Rights Commission to inquire into the firing. He asked the Commission to get video and newspaper clippings to ascertain the fact whether the firing was warranted.

He demanded to ascertain whether the police had resorted to lathicharge, used teargas and rubber bullets before opening fire and whether they had fired below the knees.

He also asked for an opportunity to his party's counsel to cross-examine the witnesses.

UNI