Commission on 2002 riots exonerates Indian premier

NEW DELHI

A judicial commission has exonerated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the 2002 riots that claimed more than 1,000 lives.

The riots in the western state of Gujarat took place when Modi was chief minister. He was accused of initiating communal violence which swept through the state targeting the minority Muslim community.

Harsh Mander, a former government officer in Gujarat, said the riots cannot continue for several weeks without the involvement of the local authorities.

“I have worked for years in Gujarat. I am quite clear that no riots can continue for hours or for days without the complicity of the state government. It continued not only for days but for weeks targeting minority Muslim community,” Mander told Anadolu Agency.

The report was submitted to the government five years ago. However, the report was made public on Wednesday after state government placed it on the table of the assembly.

"There is no evidence to show that these attacks were either inspired or instigated or abated by any minister of the state," the commission said, as quoted by daily Time of India.

It noted that the police was unable to control the mobs in some areas because of inadequate numbers or improper training.

The report is compiled in nine volumes has more than 1,500 pages.

Activists following the case have rejected the findings of the commission.