Bengaluru, Sept 4: A self proclaimed fact-finding committee, which visited the recent violence affected areas of K G Halli and D J Halli in Pulakeshinagar constituency in Benglauru, has claimed that “the riots were pre-planned and organised and the mob has specifically targeted certain prominent Hindus in the area.”
The committee of “Citizens for Democracy”, which is known for its pro-Sangh Parivar stance and bias against Muslims, submitted its report to Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday said.
The committee members are Madan Gopal, retired IAS, Dr. R Raju, retired IFS, Dr. Prakash, retired IRS, M N Krishnamurthy, retired DGP, R K Mattoo, journalist, Santhosh Thammaiah, journalist, Dr. M Jayappa, professor, Dr. H T Aravinda, professor, Kshama Nargund, advocate, Muniraju and Jerome Anto – all known for endorsing Hindutva ideology.
According to committee, it is estimated that nearly 36 government vehicles, nearly 300 private vehicles and many houses were destroyed in the violence and the damage could be estimated to be nearly Rs 10 to 15 crores.
It could be seen from the FIRs and certain interactions with the victims, that local people were also involved in carrying out this riot, the committee said, "it is of the opinion that the locals were not only involved in execution but were also aware about it in advance."
"Despite attempts being made to project the same as political rivalry, it was undoubtedly communally motivated. The panel is of the opinion that based on the kind of houses and people targeted, the motive of the riots could also be fear mongering so as to change the demography and turn the area into a Muslim majority one," it said.
It was also of the view that SDPI and PFI were involved in planning and execution of this incident.
The violence in D J Halli and adjoining areas on August 11 night was unleashed by hundreds of people over an inflammatory social media post allegedly put out by P Naveen, a relative of Pulakeshinagar Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.
The MLA's residence and a police station at D J Halli were torched by rioters who also set many police and private vehicles afire, and looted the belongings of the legislator and his sister.
Around 400 people have been arrested in connection with the violence and investigation is on. Also retired judge Justice H S Kempanna has been appointed as the "Claim Commissioner" for assessment of damages caused during violence and to recover the costs from the culprits.
All the costs that have been incurred by the state and individuals have to be recovered by attaching the property of the rioters, the committee in its recommendations said.
The pattern of the riots is similar to that of Delhi and Sweden and therefore it is imperative for the state to investigate the incident holistically and not consider them to be isolated and local. Funding received by individuals and religious extremist organisations should be continuously monitored by involving NIA, while potential areas that might face such communal tensions must be identified by the police in advance, it suggested.
Establishing a cyber dome to ensure social media is not used for hate mongering, strengthening of intelligence generation mechanisms, are among the other recommendations made by the committee.
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