From: Aneil Rallin <arallin-AT-magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>
Subject: Urgent Appeal (fwd)
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 1996 22:45:04 -0500 (EST)



> Hello there:
>
> Please read, respond as suggested and circulate.
> 
> Sincerely,
> dilip d'souza
> -------------------------
> January 23, 1996
> 
> Today, the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance Government in Maharashtra 
> terminated the Srikrishna Commission that has been inquiring into the 
> riots in Bombay in December 1992 and January 1993. It took this step 
> under Section 7 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act. It claims that the 
> inquiry has already taken too long, and also that calm has returned to 
> the city and it is not wise to reopen old wounds all over again.
> 
> The Government told the Commission that in the riots, 872 people were
> killed, 1829 were injured and 443 are missing (though other studies 
> came up with even higher figures). About 150,000 people fled the city. 
> The Times of India estimated property damage at Rs 4,000 crore (Rs 40 
> billion). That figure includes 10,000 homes burned (leaving 50,000 
> homeless), between 70 and 300 bakeries damaged or destroyed, over 70% 
> of the timber godowns in the city burned, 500 trucks and 150 taxis 
> damaged or burned.
> 
> (In contrast, the bomb blasts of March 12, 1993, killed 317 people and
> injured 713. Property damage was estimated at Rs 27 crore (Rs 270 
> million). 166 people were arrested, and the trial is proceeding. 
> Nobody has suggested that that trial be terminated because it has 
> taken so long and calm has returned to the city.)
> 
> At one stroke, even the faint hope -- represented by the Srikrishna
> Commission -- that those responsible for monstrous crimes during the 
> riots will be punished has vanished. We are being told that since so 
> much time has passed -- not least due to delays and adjournments 
> sought by the Shiv Sena and the Government themselves -- these 
> criminals should go scot free.
> 
> In one way, this is a good thing. For two-and-a-half years, we have 
> been told that no action can be taken against anyone until Justice 
> Srikrishna's inquiry is complete. Now it is. Now that excuse cannot be 
> trotted out any more. We can demand action, and in fact file 
> complaints ourselves if there is no sign of punishment. "The Peoples' 
> Verdict", the report of the inquiry into the riots by Justices Daud 
> and Suresh, lists several rioters and police officers who were named 
> in the testimony they recorded.
> 
> I urge you to speak up if you believe the termination of the 
> Commission is a travesty of even the small hope of justice that it 
> represented. Please send a fax TODAY (suggested draft below) to the 
> Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Manohar Joshi. We can also send 
> messages to the Chief Justice of India: I will circulate a draft and 
> his fax numbers in a day or two.
> 
> Once again, please send the fax TODAY. Send a copy by mail too.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Dilip D'Souza.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> Draft of letter to send by fax (and by post too) to:
> 
> Manohar Joshi, 
> Chief Minister of Maharashtra, 
> Mantralaya, 
> Bombay 400021.
> 
> Fax: 91-22-2029214, 91-22-3631446.
> 
> <Date> <Address>
> 
> Manohar Joshi,
> Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
> 
> Dear Chief Minister,
> 
> We are astonished and appalled to hear that your Government has 
> terminated the Justice Srikrishna Commission inquiring into the riots 
> in Bombay in December 1992 and January 1993. By this action, you are 
> ensuring that rioters, looters and murderers will remain unpunished.
> 
> Now that you have terminated the Commission, we demand that your 
> Government initiate punitive action against those guilty of crimes at 
> that time. For example, the report by Justices Hosbet Suresh and SM 
> Daud names many such guilty people, including several police officers. 
> The criminals cannot be allowed to get away. We expect you to bring 
> them to justice.
> 
> Sincerely,
> <your name>
> 


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