Justice Shah appointed to probe Balli violence
PTI, PANAJI | 08 August 2011 22:24 IST
Goa Cabinet today approved the appointment of former Bombay High Court judge Justice S K Shah to head the judicial inquiry into the tribal violence in the state in May, in which two tribal leaders were burnt to death.
Two protesters-- Manguesh Gaonkar and Dilip Velip-- were burnt alive by a mob at a cashew factory in Balli village on May 25, following the violence over tribals' demand for implementing reservation in government jobs in the state.
The 'United Tribal Association Alliance'(UTAA), an organisation, which led the agitation, had demanded judicial probe into the entire episode.
The magisterial inquiry into the killings had indicted policemen for being silent spectators during the incident.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat told reporters today that Justice (Rtd) S K Shah will head the inquiry that would conduct a probe into the entire episode.
"Since a sitting judge could not be spared for the inquiry, the Bombay High Court had recommended name of Justice (Retd) Shah, which has now been approved by the State cabinet," Kamat said.
Around 10,000 activists of UTAA had laid siege to several important sections on the National Highway-17.
The tracks were also blocked at Balli Railway Station, 60 kms South of Panaji to protest against Kamat government's failure to implement the reservation in government jobs.
The peaceful agitation had taken a sinister turn, when police started caning the protesters, without any provocation.
The locals later joined police in their attack on the tribal.
Magisterial inquiry conducted by Mihir Vardhan had indicted policemen for being the "silent spectators" during the carnage.
The report had said that the policemen had no control on the law and order situation.
