Press Release on Bomb blast in Makkah mosque at Hyderabad on May 18, 2007

NEW DELHI 
21st  MAY 2007

The National Commission for Minorities has seen reports in the media about the bomb blast in the Makkah mosque at Hyderabad during the Friday prayer on May 18, 2007 and about the subsequent police firing.  According to these reports, a total of 14 persons were killed in the bomb blast including 5 in police firing.

Media has cited the post-mortem reports which indicate that of the persons killed in the police firing, 4 died as a result of bullet injuries sustained above the waist level.

The Commission has taken suo moto note of these reports and has sought from the Government of Andhra Pradesh a full report on the circumstances that led to the firing and to the shots being aimed at parts of the body above the waist.  

It would be recalled that when the NCM had enquired into the disturbances in Aligarh city on April 6, 2006, it had noted that ‘the bullet injuries sustained by victims of firing were above the waist level’.  

The Commission is aware that prescribed procedures for resort to police firing stipulate, inter alia, that the police must aim their guns in such a manner as to avoid loss of life and consequently, direct the fire at the legs only.  The instances cited above tend to suggest that this provision is being observed in the breach.  The Commission therefore urges the Central and State Governments to ensure that the police force, which is the guardian of law and order, discharges its functions lawfully.