S I T UAT I O N I N G U JA R AT
(iii)
Regarding the rehabilitation of victims, it was stated that a survey may
be got conducted, even jointly, by members nominated by the National
Human Rights Commission and the State to find out who all have been
rehabilitated, the rehabilitation package and the manner of their
rehabilitation.
(iv)
It was stated that a survey be undertaken of the persons affected by the
riots who are still living in camp-like conditions with a view to
ascertaining the reasons for their not going back.
(v)
It was added that there was a requirement to identify the confidencebuilding measures which need to be taken in Gujarat and to ensure the
setting-up of special courts to ensure fair trials.
(vi)
Details were sought about the restoration of tombs and holy places
destroyed during the riots and details of any schemes framed for their
restoration.
3.14 The Chief Secretary was requested to respond to these issues after
consulting the competent authorities of the State. A letter dated 28 May 2003
was subsequently received from the Chief Secretary, along with a report.
Finding that the issues raised in the discussion of 9 May 2003 were not
addressed in this letter or its enclosure, which was nothing more than a
summary of previous reports submitted by the State of Gujarat in response
to the earlier Proceedings of the Commission dated 1 April and 31 May 2002,
the Commission summoned the Resident Commissioner of Gujarat, stationed
in New Delhi, for a further discussion on 3 June 2003. The latter then stated
before the Commission that he had been advised by the Chief Secretary to
inform the Commission that the report submitted by him on 28 May 2003 was
not a response to the issues raised on 9 May 2003, but only an interim report.
3.15 Subsequently, a further letter dated 25 June 2003 was received from the
Chief Secretary, together with three enclosures. The first enclosure was a note
on 'relief and rehabilitation measures', the second was a single-page statement
giving the number of First Information Reports that had been lodged, and
numbers relating to the 'prosecution and progress of criminal cases;' while the
third was a copy of a letter dated 9 June 2003 from the Chairman of the
National Commission for Minorities which was unrelated to any of the issues
raised by the National Human Rights Commission with the Chief Secretary
but which expressed thanks for the arrangements made for the visit of the
ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003
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