The Hindu : National : Panel to probe Godhra incident may be set up

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Saturday, Jul 10, 2004

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National

Panel to probe Godhra incident may be set up

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 9. The Government is examining the possibility of setting up a high-power committee to inquire into the various aspects leading to the Godhra rail fire accident in Gujarat. This was stated by the Minister of State for Railways, R.Velu, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today. He said that as many as 52 persons of the total 59 killed in Godhra fire accident in Gujarat were identified.

Quoting the Forensic Science Laboratory report, he said the fire had started from inside a coach. When asked, Mr. Velu said that changes were being made in the method of recruitment policy of the Railway Protection Force to enable appointment of the recruits without delay. What was being done was only a reversal of the practice, which was prevailing till 2002 when the recruitment to the RPF was made by the RPF department. However, the changeover would not involve any significant change in the selection proceedings.

He said steps were being taken to improve the transport and communication facilities for the RPF in order to strengthen it.

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