Delhi riots not spontaneous, there was provocation: Cong

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 9

A fact-finding committee of the Congress today said the Delhi riots that started on February 23 and built up later killing 53 persons were not spontaneous and were in fact the result of provocation and demanded a judicial probe into the violence.

“It is crystal clear this was not some spontaneous violence that triggered between the two common people entering into some sort of altercation. There was provocation. There is ample evidence. Who are the people, who provoked this violence on the afternoon of February 23? It is amply clear how the Delhi Police totally failed to prevent or contain what followed,” All India Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev said today.

The report, submitted to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, records evidence to support the findings.

“To give an example, thousands of phone calls went to Phone No 100, but there was no response for hours. Who should be responsible for this except Home Minister Amit Shah? What explains why despite deployment of forces violence could not be prevented? Home Minister must step down if he values people,” Dev said.

The Congress blamed both Centre and Delhi Government for the violence in the national capital and the report reflects that.

“We are appalled at the way Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who came with a huge mandate in the name of governance, simply washed his hands off. He silently sat on his twitter handle and watched the violence spread across North East Delhi. It is absolutely a shame that the Chief Minister of Delhi did nothing,” Dev added.

The Congress sought an independent judicial inquiry into the riots by a judge of the High Court or Supreme Court adding that the Delhi Police won’t be in a position to have an objective inquiry or make objective arrests. The Congress also recommended setting up of peace committees.

The committee consisted of former ministers Mukul Wasnik, Kumari Selja, Shaktisinh Gohil, Dev and Tariq Anwar.