The National Commission for Minorities (NCM), which visited Indore areas recently hit by riots, on July 15 said that the violence was “pre-planned” and asked the BJP-ruled state Government to provide protection for witnesses so that they “won’t feel unsafe”. The commission led by Chairman Mohamed Shafi Qureshi added that the SIMI was named only to divert attention. However, it did not name any organisation as having instigated the riots. The NCM, which met top bureaucrats before visiting the riot-hit localities and calling on the families of those who were killed in the violence, stated that innocents should not be framed and asked the administration to bring the accused to book. “The Government should protect the witnesses so that truth comes out.”
Qureshi, who was the governor of Madhya Pradesh in the 1990s, said he looked at the riots as a “human tragedy” and would not politicise them. In addition to the compensation announced by the state Government, the NCM said it would ensure that the victims got Rs 3 lakh each from the Centre. The commission will submit its report to the Prime Minister and said it was entirely up to the state Government whether to order a judicial inquiry into the riots or not.
Among the localities the commission visited were the worst-hit Juna Risala, Khajrana and Sindhi Colony. It asked the Government to provide basic amenities for Muslim-dominated localities after observing that they lacked rudimentary infrastructure. It also met 25 victims admitted to Mayur Hospital, and was satisfied with the treatment being provided for them.