ADD report alleges police atrocities in Godhra

Author: Times News Network
Publication: The Times of India
Date: February 24, 2004
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/517668.cms

The Alliance for Defence of Democracy (ADD), a voluntary organisation, has alleged that the Special Investigating Team (SIT) which went to Godhra to nab Salim Paanwala, accused in the Sabarmati Express carnage case, committed large-scale atrocities on residents of Saatpul locality on February 18.
 
The report of a four-member fact-finding team of the ADD has condemned the police action against residents, calling it 'unjustified and illegal'. It has demanded suspension of Special IGP ( Vadodara Range ) Rakesh Asthana and public apology from the collector of Godhra 'for brutality perpetrated against members of the Muslim community'.
 
Speaking to mediapersons, Ashim Roy of the ADD asked: "Why is the entire community made to pay for Paanwala's escape? We have nothing to do with how he escaped. What we condemn is the way the SIT used force on innocent women, invalids and children after barging in their homes under the pretext of investigation." Residents had given details about police action in their affidavits, he said.
 
The team has not spoken to the collector of Godhra or Asthana. "They were not available when we tried to contact them," Roy and his colleagues added.
 

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