Mushawarat, 31 Oct 2001, Press Statment, The Milli Gazette

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Mushawarat Demands Inquiry, Prosecution of Police Personnel And Communal Culprits
Also Due Compensation to Victims for Loss of Life, Limb and Property

Malegaon Violence: A Case More of State Terrorism And Less of Communal Violence

New Delhi, 31 October, 2001: Mr Syed Shahabuddin, President of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), has issued the following Statement:

"The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat considers the violence at Malegaon in Maharashtra more a case of State terrorism than of communal conflict.

By all accounts, the local police exceeded its authority by interfering with the peaceful distribution of some leaflets. Later, the SRP acted brutally and communally in firing selectively against the Muslims. This has resulted in massive loss of life and property of the Muslim community and even led to communal confrontation.

The SRP of Maharashtra, like the PAC of UP, is known for its anti-Muslim bias, largely due to virtual exclusion of Muslims from its ranks and command structure.

The Mushawarat calls upon the Government of Maharashtra to set up an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the confrontation and, at the same time, to suspend and prosecute the police personnel who, on prima facie evidence, have indulged in brutality and to identify and prosecute the culprits.

The Mushawarat also demands that the State Government announce due compensation for the loss of life, limb and property to all victims of police and communal violence." q

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