NHRC regrets the inability of Gujarat Government to send report

The National Human Rights Commission has been constrained to record its disappointment that even a preliminary report indicating the action so far taken by the Gujarat Government has not yet been sent to the Commission in a matter of such urgency and significance, even when the unfortunate incidents have led the Hon’ble Prime Minister also to describe the happenings as a mater of national shame.

The NHRC had taken suo motu cognizance of the escalating communal violence in Gujarat and on 1 March 2002 had issued, by fax, a notice to the Government of Gujarat calling for a report “within three days indicating the measures being taken and in contemplation to prevent any further escalation of the situation in the State of Gujarat which is resulting in continued violation of human rights of the people.”

The Commission, in response, had expected a detailed reply from the Government of Gujarat by now but, it has not yet come, and instead, there is a request from the Chief Secretary, Gujarat for grant of further time of 15 days stating that ‘as most of the State machinery is busy with the law & order situation, it would take some time to collect the information and compile the report’. The Commission felt that the preparation of a comprehensive report might require some more time, but, at least, a preliminary report indicating the action so far taken and that in contemplation, should have been sent together with an assurance of the State Government of strict implementation of the rule of law.

The Commission has thus sent a fresh direction to the Government of Gujarat on 6 March 2002, stating “in these circumstances, the Commission expects from the Government of Gujarat a comprehensive response at the earliest.”

The Commission has also asked its Special Representative in Gujarat Shri P.G.J. Nampoothiri to sent a report on the situation in Gujarat.