Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has entrusted the CID with the probe into alleged "atrocities" committed by police while tackling the Patel quota stir. The government also declared compensation to those killed and injured in the violence last week.
The government said that an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh will be given to the kin of those killed in the violence and Rs 2 lakh in the case of permanent disability while the injured will be given compensation of Rs 10,000 each. This was stated in an affidavit filed by the government before the High Court today.
"The state government has decided to conduct a thorough, fair and impartial inquiry at the highest level into the aspects (of police atrocities) and has consequently passed an order on September 2, 2015 entrusting the inquiry to the CID (Crime)," the affidavit said.
Following the submission given by government, the division bench of the HC, comprising acting Chief Justice Jayant Patel and Justice N V Anjaria, disposed of a PIL filed by one Prakash Kapadia.
Kapadia had sought the HC's direction to government for taking appropriate steps against the police personnel who had unleashed atrocities on people after violence broke out in the state following the arrest of Patel community leader Hardik Patel on August 25.
While filing the affidavit, the government stated that it will compensate the kin of only those who were killed in police firing during the violent stir but amended its stand after the HC sought an explanation over exclusion of injured persons from ex-gratia.
The CID will investigate into the "atrocities" committed by police from August 25 when the police had stormed the venue of the rally at GMDC Ground here and lathi-charged people gathered there to press for their demand for reservation, stated the affidavit filed by Joint Secretary (Home) Rahul Gupta.
According to the government, nine citizens and one policeman died in the violence, while 27 people and around 203 police personnel sustained injuries while 20 of them are still in hospitals due to serious injuries.
The CID will particularly investigate with reference to the charges of high-handedness against the police personnel while entering the houses of residents, use of lathi-charge and other forms of force inside the houses of citizens and causing of damage to private property of people, including damage to windscreens of cars.
According to the affidavit, the CID will have to submit an action taken report (ATR) to the DGP, the CID (Crime), within two months. As per a resolution passed by the state Home department on Thursday. The witnesses of police atrocities can approach the CID and submit a written application.
The affidavit also gives details of the police force used to bring the situation under control. "The police authorities had to use force. Across the state, a total of 395 rounds were fired, 2364 teargas (shells) were lobbed to disperse the rioters, lathicharge was resorted to, more than 500 persons were arrested and curfew was imposed in many areas," the affidavit stated. It said that a total of 295 offences were registered in the state and 42 cases among them are such wherein public is the complainant while government in 253 cases.
On the damage caused to police properties, the affidavit stated that around 50 police establishments, including office of the Superintendent of Police, the office of the Circle Police Inspector, police stations, police chowkis, outposts and a traffic booth were set ablaze by agitators while around 254 police vehicles were either burnt down or damaged by mobs.
The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation also suffered damage as around 139 buses were set on fire and 152 damaged. The affidavit stated that houses and offices of at least 2 MPs, including one MoS in Union government, were damaged by mobs, apart from 12 houses or official premises of MLAs, including those of five ministers, that were also damaged.
The HC had already ordered a CID probe into the alleged custodial death of a Patel youth, Swetang Patel. Opposition Congress had alleged that police had committed "atrocities" against innocent people while tackling the violence triggered by detention of Patel community leader Hardik Patel and demanded resignation of Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.
The opposition party had demanded setting up of an inquiry commission, comprising a sitting High Court judge, to probe the "atrocities"
