Judicial commission begins probe into Muzaffarnagar riots

The one-man judicial commission appointed to probe the Muzaffarnagar riots began its work Monday.

Commission chairman, retired high court judge Vishnu Sahay, was briefed by district officials in Muzaffarnagar.

He is likely to meet the riot-affected people Tuesday and get a first hand account of the events that preceded the riots which left 62 dead and more than 43,000 homeless.

The Uttar Pradesh government had Sep 9 appointed Sahay to probe the riots in the western Uttar Pradesh town and submit a report within two months.

The commission has been mandated to probe all events between Aug 27 and Sep 9 and look into the reasons behind the violence that took a communal hue. It has also been asked to suggest ways to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

Riots broke out in Muzaffarnagar and neighbouring Shamli Sep 7 and the state government was forced to requisition the army to assist the district administration after the situation went out of control.

Many of the displaced persons are still living in the 38 camps set up by the government and have refused to go back to their homes.