Bengaluru: A second fact-finding committee, that was looking into the riots that occurred in Bengaluru on August 11, has found that the police failed to act expeditiously when they were approached with a complaint, however, they found no evidence about the violence being communal.
The committee comprised members from Bengaluru civil society organisations including Nina Nayak, independent journalist Cynthia Stephen, former chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and 21 others.
The report submitted by the committee stated that there is not enough evidence to suggest that the violence was communal in nature or that it was premeditated and pre-planned.
The report released by the first fact-finding committee on September 4 had termed the riots as a communal attack on Hindu residents in the area. The report was made by a committee appointed by the state government called ‘Citizens for Democracy’, according to Tourism Minister CT Ravi said.
Wednesday’s report, released by the second fact-finding committee, stated that the rioters did not specifically target the residences of Hindus. “It is accepted by various groups that Muslim youth assisted in the protection of Hindu and Christian families and the homes and vehicles of Hindus. They formed human chains outside the Hanuman temple as also the police station to keep away the mob. In Kaval Byrasandra, a property belonging to a Muslim was vandalised and damaged while vehicles of Muslims were also burnt regarding which they have filed police complaints,” stated the report, according to TNM.
The report added that while some individuals and houses of Hindus were targeted at random, it seemed that the moment was used by some to take revenge on certain families and that the violence was not communal in nature. “Many Hindu families whose houses were vandalised shared that it was the local Muslim families who also helped protect their property,” it stated.
It was also highlighted that police inaction to the complaint led the crowds to attack. The report further stated, “Not only did the police fail to act expeditiously and effectively on the post when small delegations approached the police station, but they also failed to intervene in effective ways in preventing the violence from escalating in DJ Halli, KG Halli and Kaval Byrasandra.”
At the end, the report called for the withdrawal of the charges that were levied against the rioters under the UAPA. It also called for an enquiry into the arrest of persons to ensure that those who are innocent be released immediately. “The families of the accused persons must be informed regarding the cases against them and their whereabouts,” it added.
