A two member judicial commission of the Uttar Pradesh government reached Moradabad on Saturday, before it was planned to visit Sambhal on Sunday. The commission tasked to probe violence that erupted during a court ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24 has been asked to report within two months. It cost four deaths and great many injuries.
Objectives and Composition
The survey, launched months after one drowned man petitioned to ban the mosque because its location was once a Harihar temple, sparked violent clashes. Retired Allahabad High Court judge Devendra Kumar Arora heads the commission that was notified November 28. They have other members, retired IAS officer Amit Mohan Prasad and retired IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain. Their main job is to decide if the violence was spontaneous or if it constituted a conspiracy.
According to Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, two members joined on Saturday while the other awaited to join them on the Sambhal visit. But he did not name the people present in Moradabad.
Investigation Scope
The commission will determine police and administrative officials’ preparedness in the event of the situation. It will look at the causes of the clashes, and recommend preventative measures to prevent such clashes from happening again.
Broader Implications
The study intends to establish whether the violence was preplanned or emerged as it breached. But the findings will help explain the short-term causes as well as how to combat broader security issues.
Suggestions from the commission will be incorporated into administrative response and peace in sensitive situations will be maintained in the region. The importance of this inquiry is great, for it ensures safety and security of all communities of Uttar Pradesh.
