Minorities body unhappy over 'delay' in arrest of riot accused

, June 28: The National Commission for Minorities on Saturday expressed concern over the "delay" in arrest of accused in Muzaffarnagar riot cases, but said it was satisfied with the relief works in the affected areas.

Chairman of the Commission Naseem Ahmad on Saturday held a meeting here with district magistrates and district police chiefs of riot-affected districts of Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Meerut, Saharanpur and Baghpat to review the progress of relief and rehabilitation works.

"Even after more than nine months of the riots, all the accused have been not been arrested," Ahmad said while talking to reporters after the meeting.

"Though some accused have been arrested in several cases related to the riots, the Commission is not satisfied with the delay in the arrest of all the accused," he said.

Commission satisfied with the relief work in the riot-effected areas

"The Special Investigation Team (SIT) and court have initiated attachment proceedings against people who were found involved in the riot cases by the SIT, but they have not been arrested," he added.

Ahmad, however, said the Commission was satisfied with the relief work in the riot-effected areas. He said he has directed officials to take prompt action to gain confidence of both the communities, especially the riot-affected people.

Ahmad along with a member of the Commission Farda Abdulla Khan also visited Palda village in Muzaffarnagar district. The riots which broke out in September last year had left more than 60 people dead and rendered above 50,000 people homeless.

PTI