Ahmedabad, July 16: The two-member riot inquiry commission, comprising Justice (Retd) G T Nanavati and Justice (Retd) K G Shah, today began recording deposition of the victims of post-Godhra communal violence that affected many parts of the city. However, only four persons -- two advocates, a restaurateur and a deputy sarpanch -- deposed before the commission.

The police station areas designated for the day for victims or complainants to come forward were satellite and Ellisbridge. In spite of reassuring words from both the commission members urging people to come and depose "freely and fearlessly" the response was relatively poor.

Triveni Sharma, an advocate who lives in satellite area told the commission members that on February 28, the day VHP had given a Gujarat bandh call following the Sabarmati train carnage at Godhra, 'Hindu mobs' had indulged in arson and loot. Sharma said she was sure that the mob consisted of people of 'Hindu community' but could not specify if people were from the same neighbourhood and added that she did not lodge a police complaint in this regard earlier and was giving these details for the first time.

Amrish Patel, the other advocate also specified that mobs that had indulged in arson and loot in the area were of 'Hindu community 'and some even wore saffrons band on their head.

Patel said he was confronted by a mob near Shivranjani area where policemen were present at several spots where violence took place but they were all 'mute spectators'.

The advocate also deposed that police did not take any action against the mob inspite of repeated requests. Bureau Report