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NHRC charges Modi with 'comprehensive failure'

In a scathing indictment of the Narendra Modi government on Gujarat violence, the National Human Rights Commission on Friday charged it with 'comprehensive failure' to control persistent violation of the rights of life, liberty, equality and dignity of the people of the state, and demanded that the violators be brought to book.

In its final report on the communal violence in the state, the Commission also expressed its displeasure over the Gujarat government's lack of response to the confidential report of the NHRC team's visit to the state despite reminders and extension of time for a detailed reply.

Stressing that it was essential to heal the wounds and to look to a future of peace and harmony, the NHRC said, "But the pursuit of these high objectives must be based on justice and the upholding of the values of the Constitution of the Republic and the laws of the land."

"That is why it remains of fundamental importance that the measures that require to be taken to bring the violators of human rights to book are indeed taken," the NHRC said in its proceedings presided by its Chairman Justice J S Verma on Friday.

The Commission also noted the decline in incidents of violence in the past three weeks and certain positive developments since the beginning of May.

"However, much remains to be done, and the integrity of the administration must be restored and sustained if those who have suffered are to be fully restored in their rights and dignity," it said.

"Critical and cruel as the communal dimension was to the tragedy of Gujarat, what was at stake, additionally, was respect for the rights of all Indians -- irrespective of community -- that are guaranteed by the Constitution... it was this guarantee that was challenged by the events in Gujarat," the NHRC said.

Stating that it will continue to monitor the situation with care, the Commission asked the state government to report to it again by June 30 on all matters covered in its comments and recommendations.

Friday's proceedings also expressed dissatisfaction over the state government's response to the panel's proceedings of April one on several counts.

It said the appointment of K P S Gill as security adviser to the chief minister 'implicitly confirms that a failure had occurred earlier to bring under control the persisting violation of the rights to life, liberty, dignity, equality and dignity of the people of the state'.

The Commission also concluded there was a major failure of intelligence accompanied by a 'failure to take appropriate anticipatory and subsequent action to prevent the spread and continuation of violence'.

The NHRC termed as 'evasive and lacking in transparency' the state government's response on the panel's request for specific information on 'local factors and players' that 'they were matters covered by the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry appointed by the state government'.

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