‘Police & Jafri fired on mob during riots’
The riot victims and witnesses from Meghaninagar while deposing before the Justice Nanavati and Justice Shah inquiry commission on Thursday alleged that slain MP Ehsaan Jafri had fired upon the mob on the fateful February 28, 2002.

Many of the witnesses also blamed the electronic media for biased reporting.

However, Safdar Hussain Ankleshwaria, the only Muslim witness and a close relative of Jafri said that the then police commissioner P.C. Pande had visited the Gulbarg Society and assured to help the residents.

But as soon as Mr Pande left the area, the mobs entered the society and attacked the residents, he added.

The witnesses most of whom were Hindus also alleged that the reporting of English media and electronic television channels were biased and was pro-Muslim.

A group of 12 persons owing allegiance to Bajrang Dal submitted a combined affidavit to the commission claiming they were scared to record their statements before the commission.

Madansinh Rajput claiming to have seen Mr Jafri firing on the mob on February 28, 2002, said, "Ehsaan Jafri fired on the mob on the fateful day. Even the police fired on the mob instead of firing on Jafri."

Reporting by the electronic media and the English media were biased, favouring the Muslims.

Facts were distorted and "anti Hindu campaigns" were launched by such media after the riots, Mr Rajput said before the commission. There was a marked shift in the attitude of the Muslims due to the biased media coverage and after the Godhra carnage even a slightest instance provoked them, he added.

Ramesh Ahir, a witness claimed three persons from the mob fell due to the firing by Ehsaan Jafri on February 28, 2002.

Vasu Patel, another witness said, "Continuous television footage on the Godhra carnage even incited people with cool temperament."

Mr Patel also alleged that Jafri had fired on the mob and three persons fell as a result of it.

A total of 15 persons deposed before the commission on Thursday out of which five claimed to have seen Jafri firing on the mob on February 28, 2002. The commission will record the statements from areas under Meghaninagar police station on Friday as well.

Republished from The Asian Age