Muzaffarnagar riots inquiry commission postpones sitting

The one-man inquiry commission probing the Muzfarranagar riots, has postponed its sitting scheduled on November 26, as the government has not responded to its request for extension of tenure. 

"The commission has postponed its sitting for recording statements of some officials in connection with the riots who were summoned to appear before the panel on November 26," Additional District Magistrate Inder Mani Tripathi said here today. 

With its tenure ending on November 9, the one-man inquiry commission appointed by Uttar Pradesh government had sought an extension. No notification from the government has been received yet regarding the extension of tenure, Tripathi added.

The commission of retired judge of Allahabad High Court Vishnu Sahai, constituted on September 9 last year, had twice been given extension for six months each. 

The state government had asked the commission to probe the violence starting from Kawal incident on August 27, 2013 and submit its reports in two months but later the deadline was extended.

The Commission was also asked to look into administrative lapses, if any, in controlling the violence in Muzaffarnagar and surrounding districts which left over 60 people dead while thousands of others were displaced.