Muslim, social org demand SIT probe

Mumbai, Aug 18 (UNI) City-based social organisations along with several Muslim organisations, which are demanding the implementation of Justice Srikrishna Commission report on 1993 communal riots in Mumbai, today demanded the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the pattern of the multi-crore fake stamp paper scandal investigation.

Adressing mediapersons here, noted rights activist Teesta Setalvad said the group, under the banner of 'Nyay Andolan', will meet Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil on Monday and would place the demand along with a list of 35-odd cases which can be tried by the special courts, where appeals could be made or cases be reopened.

She pointed out that the Bombay High Court-appointed SIT, which probed the Telgi scam, can be considered as an example in this case too.

Ms Setalvad urged the state government to form a panel of public prosecutors with ''good credentials'' to carry out the trial of these cases.

On the ocassion, Maulana Mustaqeem Azmi, secretary of Jamait-Ul-Ulema, Maharashtra, said the group has formulated a monitoring committee to look into the matter of the procedures.

Maulana Mehmood Daryabadi of All India Ulema Council supported the move and said the investigation should be transparent. Hence, the officers assigned to investigate the matter must have a clean background because law enforcers were the main target in the Srikrishna Commission report, he added.

Besides, the representatives of Muslim Personal Law Board, Mumbai Aman Committee, Qaumi Mazlise-shora and others have also placed their demand in this regard.

In the 700-page report, Justice Srikrishna has raised questions on the inaction against Shiv Sena leaders and police officers found guilty of being trigger-happy and failing to protect minority community from ire of mobs.

UNI