Sambhal riots: Judicial panel members record statements of govt employees
Sambhal (UP), Jan 30 (PTI): Members of the judicial commission appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate the riots that erupted during a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal on November 24 last year recorded the statements of officials on Thursday.
The commission, which includes former High Court Judge Devendra Arora, former Director General of Police (DGP) Arvind Kumar Jain and former Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad, is stationed at the PWD guest house on Chandausi Road to record the statements, local officials said.
The commission was formed following the riots which killed four people and injured several including policemen.
The commission had previously visited Sambhal on December 1 and January 21. During the last visit, 51 complaints were registered with the commission in relation to the violence.
The victims of the 1978, 1986 and 1992 riots in Sambhal held a procession to the PWD guest house and submitted a memorandum to the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Sambhal.
Victims have long been demanding re-investigation of the previous riots. They include those who lost their loved ones and suffered damage to their property.
Manoj Kumar, a victim of the 1978 riots, told reporters that his grandparents, Kishan Singh and Nareni, were burnt alive at the gate of Banwari Lal Murari Lal during the riots. Their bodies were never recovered and the family never received justice.
"We have not got justice for it till date... The culprits should be punished and the entire incident should be disclosed. We request the Yogi government to set up a judicial commission to bring out the truth of the 1978 riots," Manoj Kumar said.
Similarly, Vishnu Shankar Rastogi, another victim of the 1978 riots, recalled how his shop was destroyed in the violence. Despite his significant loss, he received a meagre compensation of Rs 200.
Rastogi emphasised that the compensation did not match the scale of the loss he suffered. He also called for a re-investigation of the 1978 riots to "uncover" the truth, adding, "Our MPs and MLAs at the time were not sympathetic to our plight and we seek justice even today."
SDM Vandana Mishra confirmed that some people had presented a memorandum requesting a detailed investigation into the past riots.
Mishra explained that the judicial commission is currently recording statements of government officers and employees, while earlier dates were allocated for statements from the general public. She assured that the public would be informed of any future dates of hearings.
Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia told reporters that the judicial commission visited Sambhal for the third time on Thursday and the statements of all the concerned officials were recorded. Affidavits were also submitted on their behalf as testimony, he added.
He said whenever the judicial commission visits, prior information is given through an official letter specifying whose statements will be recorded, he said.
Judicial commission member A K Jain told reporters that affidavits and other documents were submitted and their confirmation was done.
He said the remaining work would be completed during the next visit.
Asked about the timing of their next visit, he said it is not yet decided but prior intimation will be given before they come again.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
