Even as the death toll in last week's clash at Gopalgarh went up to nine, the deadlock over the post-mortem on five of the victims of violence in the eastern Rajasthan town ended on Wednesday with their close relatives agreeing to the autopsies with videography in the presence of distinguished persons.
A five-member team of doctors from Sawai Man Singh Hospital here started the autopsies at the Bharatpur Government Hospital in the afternoon. The surgical procedure was continuing till late on Wednesday evening.
Among those injured admitted to SMS Hospital here, 24-year-old Javed Meo succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday night, taking up the death toll to nine. Medical Superintendent L. C. Sharma said the victim, a resident of Gopalgarh, had sustained eight serious injuries on various parts of his body.
Curfew relaxed
The bodies of the deceased are likely to be buried at their native places by Thursday after the completion of autopsy. Amid the continuing tension, curfew at Gopalgarh was relaxed for seven hours during which the markets remained closed and very few people ventured out on roads.
The State Cabinet discussed the law and order situation in the town at an informal meeting at Chief Minister's Office here on Wednesday morning. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, presiding over the meeting, laid emphasis on timely completion of probe ordered into the violence as well as ensuring “stringent action” against the guilty irrespective of caste or creed.
Home Minister Shanti Dhariwal told reporters after the meeting that the judicial inquiry announced into the entire gamut of incidents, including clashes between two communities and the alleged firing at Jama Masjid, would be completed “in a given timeframe”.
“Police excesses”
Amid reports that an All-India Congress Committee fact-finding team has found prima facie evidence of “police excesses” at Gopalgarh, the Rajasthan Muslim Forum on Wednesday intensified its protest against the violence and demanded removal of both Mr. Gehlot and Mr. Dhariwal for what it described as their failure to protect the lives and property of citizens.
