Peace in peril: Minority Comm. head Lalpura

New Delhi, May 4: Expressing concerns over violence in various parts of the country, Minority Commission’s chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura said, these incidents were not “communal in nature” and blamed miscreants, of trying to vitiate the peace and tranquility. The statement of the chairman came in the wake of recent incidents of violence in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur. Lalpura informed that the commission took cognizance of violence and sought a detailed report from the Chief Secretary of the state within seven days. He expressed hope that the state government will take appropriate action against the perpetrators for disturbing peace in the society. Referring to the Patiala incident, Lal Pura said clashes between Shiv Sena and a group of Sikh community in “uncalled for” and whatever happened there was due to the irresponsible behaviors; the local administration and the state must take action against them. “We have asked for a report from the chief secretary of the state over the matter and the commission is monitoring the situation very closely” he added. “There is no Hindu and Sikh clash in Patiala as it was represented. They are actually anti-national people and they have nothing to do with peace and tranquility of the state.” “These small numbers of people are trying to disturb peace for ulterior motives and they should be identified and action should be taken against them.” When asked about some incident of conversion in the state of Punjab, he said it is a matter of great concern and we have taken up the matter with the state government. “We have received a lot of complaints over this issue and we have asked for a report from the chief secretary of the state four months back but so far we have not received any answer from him” he said. “Everybody has the right to religion but the conversion did not take place over greed, if it happens then this is crime” he said. Talking about the Jahangirpuri violence clashes, he said things are now coming back to normal, and we are now in touch with local administration and I hope that justice will be done. (UNI)