Maha govt’s approach, cop action biased, claims Cong

Nagpur: A special committee formed by Congress to visit Nagpur and submit a report on the riots, has accused the state govt and cops for being "biased" in their investigation and suggested that right wing groups were getting ‘silent support' to foment trouble. The Congress group on Saturday, led by party veteran Manikrao Thakre, was denied permission by Nagpur police to visit ‘ground zero' and were warned of legal action if they defied the orders. Thakre, while addressing the media, said the state Governor must dismiss the Mahayuti govt for failure to maintain law and order.
"This govt is showing only one side of the story," alleged Thakre. When asked if he meant that investigation is biased, Thakre said "Hundred per cent. Action is being taken only against a specific group. Why did the police not act immediately against those who burnt a green cloth which had religious sentiments attached to it?"
Thakre said the cops erred right at the start by allowing right wing activist to stage a protest on Monday afternoon. "Nobody is objecting to Aurangzeb's image being burnt. But when cops saw that something of religious importance was also being burnt, they should have acted immediately," said Thakre. "I have seen those videos, and it's shocking that cops did not take the issue seriously. It almost seems that cops have friendly relation with the protestors," said Thakre.
While Nagpur cops have booked eight members of a right-wing organization for Monday protest, Thakre said it was an ‘after-thought'. Thakre said "Reality is that those eight people surrendered and were booked under bailable offences. It seems they had some sort of tacit understanding with cops. Why did cops not charge them for sedition?"
He went on to add that it was the BJP-led govt which was ‘encouraging' such acts. Thakre said "Across the country, wherever they are in power such things happen. Their affiliated groups like Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal are allowed to get away with a lot of things."
Taking a swipe at CM Devendra Fadnavis, Thakre said, "CM says it was conspiracy. If so, then what was your law and order machinery doing? Were weren't they aware of such things happening. CM must resign or the Governor must dismiss this govt."
The Congress group on Saturday met with both Hindu and Muslim community members at a govt guest house and noted down their response about Monday's events. Thakre said, "These responses will be used to prepare a report for the party in which we will give our opinion about why the riots happened, and who was responsible." He added that as part of their ‘fact finding' mission, Congress leaders had sought permission to visit ground zero in Nagpur. Thakre said "Police refused permission and said they will press charges against us if we still attempt to go." The Congress' committee will take another three to four days to prepare their report. Thakre said "It will be submitted to our state party president Harshwardhan Sapkal, after which the next step shall be decided."