Ahmedabad, Nov 27: The two-man government appointed commission comprising Justice (Retd) G T Nanavati and Justice (Retd) K G Shah probing the post-Godhra communal riots in Gujarat, today completed the first phase of recording statements of riot victims/witnesses from the entire state after over a year of enormous exercise. However, not a single riot victim/witness from Bavla, Dholka and Dholera areas in the rural part of the district appeared before the inquiry commission as per schedule today.

Justice (Retd) Shah told that the first phase of recording evidence directly from the affected people was complete and from now onward parties, including the government and advocates can produce their witnesses.

The commission had deferred for today the recording of statements of riot victims/witnesses of these areas owing to Eid-ul-fitr celebrations yesterday. The commission members waited for over an hour in case anybody arrived to depose and later announced that if any late comer does arrive they could submit an affidavit regarding the deposition within a week.

The commission, that began recording statements on July 12, 2002 has so far recorded statements of over 2000 riot victims/witnesses from 19 of the affected district of Gujarat.

Bureau Report