India Tomorrow
AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat unit of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has called for a judicial inquiry into the recent communal clashes in the Variali Bazar, Syedopura, and Katargam areas of Surat, which erupted following allegations that some Muslims pelted stones at a Ganesh Chaturthi Pandal.
This demand was highlighted in a fact-finding report compiled by state APCR president Shamshad Pathan, general secretary Ikram Mirza, activist Hozefa Ujjaini, Sugeet Pathak from the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, and APCR Surat unit chief Altaf Bharuchi.
The APCR leaders have urged action against those involved in the riots and emphasized that political leaders and lawyers advocating for peace and justice should not be falsely implicated. They also called for investigations into extremist organizations that propagate hate through social media, along with the imposition of a ban on such organizations.
To prevent communal riots and hate-related activities, the organization has suggested enacting specific laws and establishing fast-track courts to ensure prompt justice and accountability for offenders.
Furthermore, APCR has urged the government to provide adequate compensation to those injured and to individuals whose homes, shops, belongings, and vehicles have been damaged, in accordance with the Supreme Court guidelines and the Gujarat Victim Compensation Scheme.
It also made a call for investigations into alleged police excesses against innocents, along with legal actions and compensation for victims of police misconduct. Additionally, they demanded scrutiny of one-sided police actions and appropriate legal and departmental measures against such conduct.
The organization insisted on filing complaints regarding biased media reporting that violates the Press Council of India’s directives and advocated for legal action against such violations.
To combat gang violence, the APCR highlighted the need to adhere to the directives of the Supreme Court’s Writ Petition (Civil) No. 754/2016 (Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India and others) and the oral order issued by the Gujarat High Court in Writ Petition (PIL) No. 38 of 2023 (Azajkhan Hamidkhan Pathan v. State of Gujarat).
It urged the Gujarat government to establish Ekta committees at the state, district, city, and locality levels, in line with the State Home Department’s decision (No. V-2/Comb/132015/620, Secretariat, Gandhinagar, dated 06/02/2016).
According to APCR, this comprehensive approach aims to foster harmony and justice in the region.
