THE police and district administration came under attack of the locals who today met the two-member commitee probing Friday’s riots in some parts of the city.
Claiming that the police and the administration failed in their duties, they told the committee members — Additonal DG (PAC) Bua Singh, and Agricultural Production Commissioner N C Bajpai — that the situation was especially bad in Aminabad, Nazirabad, Quaiserbagh and Maulviganj areas.
Singh and Bajpai recorded statements of the riot victims at the UP Road Transport Corporation auditorium.
The probe team, earlier expected to submit its report within two days as per the State Government’s directive, may seek a week’s time. ‘‘The team has so far not sought extra time,’’ a senior State Home Department official said, ‘‘but (since) a large number of riot-affected people turned up before the committee, it would take at least one week for the committee to submit its report.’’
Meanwhile, illustrating the administrative apathy, Afsar Mehmood, a city rickshaw-puller who had his statement recorded today, told Newsline: ‘‘It was impossible to even walk after I was injured on Friday, but I somehow managed to reach the civil hospital. All they did was give me a few tablets after stitching up my wounds. They literally drove me out of the hospital. I even went to the police station, but police toh kahin bhi nahin thhi.’’
Ravinder Pal Singh, a shopkeeper, said: ‘‘My shop was looted even during the 1984 riots. On Friday, they (mob) damaged my two cars and burnt a motorcycle parked near Mehara cinema. I could not find any policemen before 6 pm that day.’’