High-power committee to tackle communal violence demanded

Bhopal, Mar 29 (UNI) New Delhi-based Shahi Jama Masjid managing committee general secretary Maulana Nawabuddin Nakshbandi today said a high-power committee should be constituted to protect the country from communal violence.

''This could prove to be a decisive step for tracing real culprits. Under present circumstances, the procedure to arrest anyone and link him to some outfit is not justified,'' Mr Nakshbandi told reporters here.

Mr Nakshbandi, who was here in connection with the two-day 'Kirate Quran' competition, alleged that government machinery failed to nab real culprits causing hatred to spread more.

''We are not ready to support any individual, who is against our country or our community. However, it is necessary that people being charged with be arrested on the basis of solid evidence,'' he said.

He pointed out that Quran Sharif had no place for hatred and gave message of peace and brotherhood. The competition to read Quran was aimed at sending this message to every home.

Mr Nakshbandi supported death penalty for Parliament attack mastermind Afzal Guru. However, he did not comment on the arrest of 13 activists of banned SIMI outfit in Madhya Pradesh.

He said people from all over the country were taking part in the competition to read Quran. The first, second, third and fourth prize carries Rs 40,000, Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 award respectively.

Main judge Jama Masjid's Ahmed Bukhari could not come due to his father's illness.

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