PUCL demands probe into tribal firing incident

Ahmedabad, Mar 4 (UNI) People's Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL) today demanded an inquiry into the incident of police firing on tribals in a village of Vijaynagar here, in which two tribals were killed and three others injured.

The PUCL, a human rights group, had instituted its own fact-finding committee into the incident that occured in Atarsumba village on February 13. It had submitted its report to state Governor Naval Kishore Sharma on March 1.

The committee, headed by Ghanshyam Shah, in its report said the police firing on tribals was ''irresponsible, insensitive and unwarranted'' and demanded investigation by a High Court judge into it.

Speaking to mediapersons, Mr Shah said official version of the incident was full of contradictions and asked for suspension of the responsible police officers from duty during the period of inquiry.

He said the committee was of the view that the government has not been serious enough about doing justice to the tribals. Although, an inquiry committee was set up for the same, but it did not have any member with a tribal background and understanding of the issues pertaining to their culture, he added.

Mr Shah also demanded a minimum compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the tribals who were killed in the incident, along with withdrawal of the 'false cases' against the six tribals who were arrested recently.

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