Question : COMMUNAL RIOTS IN COUNTRY

(a) whether there has been a series of communal riots in various States recently;

(b) if so, the details in this regard;

(c) the number of civilians/security personnel killed/injured therein, State-wise;

(d) whether the Union Government have identified the organisations behind these riots;

(e) if so, the details in this regard;

(f) the details of assistance provided to various States to stop such riots;
(g) whether the Student Islamic Movement of India has flooded arms in the riot affected areas and established contacts with other underground organisations in the country;
(h) if so, the details in this regard; and
(i) the steps taken by the Government to check such activities in the country?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ( I.D.SWAMI )

(a) to (i): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to
(i) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 435 for 17.04.2001 regarding Communal Riots in Country.

(a) to (i) No, Sir. There has been no series of communal riots in the country recently.

However, there was one major incident of communal violence in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, during the last month in which 14 persons including one Additional District Magistrate were killed and 24 persons, including 11 police personnel were injured. Some religious places, buildings, shops and vehicles were also damaged, a total of 112 weapons/ammunition viz. Country-made pistols, bombs, cartridges and knives were recovered by the Police and 286 persons arrested. In addition, some minor incidents of violence have been reported from some States like Maharashtra and Jammu & Kashmir.

`Public Order` and `Police` are State subjects as per the Constitution of India and hence maintenance of public order and peace as also registration, investigation and prevention of crime is the primary responsibility of the State Government. The involvement or otherwise of SIMI or any other particular organization in inciting communal violence in different parts of the country will be established only upon the outcome of the investigation of incidents by the concerned investigating agencies of the State Governments after which action will be taken as per law.

So far as the Union Government is concerned, it shares information and sends alert messages/advisories to enable the concerned State Governments/Union Territories Administrations to take appropriate action. Detailed guidelines for promotion of communal harmony have also been issued to all the State Governments/Union Territories. In addition, the Central Paramilitary Forces are made available to them on specific request and a special force called the Rapid Action Force is also deployed exclusively for dealing with communal tensions.