BeyondHeadlines Staff Reporter
Patna/New Delhi: National Commission for Minority (NCM) Chairman, Wajaht Habibullah has called the Forbesgunj firing unreasonable and unjustified.
Habibullah was addressing the media after his visit to Bhajanpura village of Forbesganj block in Bihar’s Araria district where the firing took place on June 3.
He, however, told media that there appears no reason for CBI enquiry in present circumstances. Opposition parties and many Muslim groups have been pressing for an enquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigations.
Habibulalh said, “I can say it on the basis of my long years of administrative career that circumstances would be avoidable.”
NCM team visited the place of incident on Tuesday and met villagers and victims’ families. He also met the district SP, employees of the factory, Governor and other government officials.
Nitish Kumar, however, refused to meet him as he was busy with Purnia byelection campaign.
He also informed the media that the chief secretary has assured him that the judicial enquiry would be time bound and will finish within six months.
The NCM chairperson added, “The incident was regrettable for many reasons… If the administration would have handled the situation carefully, the unfortunate incident could be avoided.”
Hinting that if the state administration had handled the situation tactfully it could have been avoided, he detailed that “lands belong to locals, the passageway belong to villagers, which they have been using from decades to approach mosque, market, hospital and karbala. There were three alternative roads being given to the villagers, none of them were acceptable to the villagers.”
Referring to the government’s ex-gratia compensation of rupees 3 lakhs Habibullah further said, “It is not enough for victim. There should be engagement of the victim family members in income generating works for their livelihood.”
He appreciated the state administration for bearing the expenses of treatment of those injured in the incident.
When asked about alleged provocation by the protesters the NCM chairman confirmed, “SP herself was injured and she got few stitches at her neck and head. The constable, Sunil kr Yadav, who was stomping over a body led to death, is charged under IPC section 302. The detailed report would be tabled soon.”
He also added that the incident would be a setback for the state that has been looking to woo the investors. He assured that the detailed report would be tabled within 10 days.
He also refused to the alleged “communal” nature of the firing and said that said those killed in firing were citizen of India and their religion was incidental.
JD (U) meanwhile is gearing for a minority conference that would be inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar. Kumar has announced that perpetrator would not be spared.
