Minister claims SIMI hand behind communal violence in Indore

Ratlam, MP, July 5 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Himmat Kothari today alleged that incidents of communal violence in Indore had been pre-planned.

Talking to reporters here today, Mr Kothari said evidence from police suggest that activists of banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has played a prominent role in it.

He said SIMI activists planned the violence due to recent crackdown on them by the state government.

The Home Minister claimed that the situation was fully under control and fast returning to normal.

Prima facie, it appears that police had to resort to firing to control the mob. Any action would be taken after impartial investigation in this regard.

Curfew was imposed in Indore on June 3 following violent clashes during a VHP-sponsored bandh that was backed by the BJP in protest against revoking of land allotted to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

UNI XC-PS Mir RK2130