Ahmedabad, Oct 21: A man representing a group of minority community riot victims and witnesses today told the two-man probe panel that compensation cheques of many persons issued by Gujarat government were not encashed for many months and that the delay was reportedly due to shortage of allotted funds with banks. Zafar Ajmeri, who ran a relief camp in Dani Limda area, during the post-Godhra communal riots and represented many riot victims, told Justice (Retd) G T Nanavati and Justice (Retd) K G Shah that many were turned down by banks as they said they were short of money allocated for disbursement of compensation.

Ajmeri did not give any specific figure to the commission but said the cheques ranged from Rs 3000 onwards.

Former Congress minister Girish Parmar and former MLA Gunwant Makwana also deposed and praised the efficient handling of riot situation by police in their area.

Most of the 150-odd witnesses who deposed today in 38 batches praised police and some including residents of Ram Rahim Nagar also had instances of communal harmony to narrate.

Bureau Report