New Delhi, Jan 31: The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has recommended a judicial probe into the rape and killing of a nine-year-old tribal in Jhabua, blaming the VHP and some other Hindu activists for giving what it called a communal colour to the incident. NCM member V V Augustine, who visited Jhabua, Amkut, Alirajpur and Puniyavat, has reported in his findings that no priest or school authorities were involved in the episode.

Timely intervention of the state government, district authorities and police had, however, brought the situation under control, he said.

''It was a purely criminal incident.''

Augustine found that followers of Asaram Bapu and some sadhvis entered a classroom at the Christian school, provoking a communal clash at Amkut.

One RSS activist was shot dead, sparking violence in nearby areas, he said. At Alirajpur, a CNI church was damaged along with several Christian houses and institutions, Augustine reported. A father was also attacked and his jeep burnt, he said.

The NCM has recommended compensation to the Christian victims especially.

Bureau Report