Gujarat High Court transfers probe in Ultratech violence case to CID

Following the allegations of police atrocities on the peaceful protestors agitating against the limestone mining lease granted to Ultratech Cement by the state and union government, the Gujarat High Court has transferred the probe of the incident to CID crime. The investigation of the incident was so far carried out by the Datha police station in Bhavnagar, in which many protestors were seriously injured.

While transferring the probe, the court clarified in its order that: "Considering the seriousness of the issue and bearing the serious allegations leveled against deputy superintendent of police, Mahuva, and also considering the allegations and counter allegations, it would not be in the fitness of things to allow the continuation of investigation at the ends of Datha police station or any other from the district Bhavnagar. Bearing in mind, the gravity and sensitivity of the subject, this court deems it appropriate to hold that the state CID (crime) will be the fittest agency for the said purpose".

The court has also ordered the constitution of an independent committee of scientists and experts to look into the repercussions of allowing mining of limestone in the area of agricultural lands. The committee comprises of agriculture scientist Kapil Shah, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture's director GV Ramanjaneyulu, Lokbharati Community Science Center's founder president Arun Dave. It directed the committee to submit the report within three-months and instructed the government to render the support required by the committee.

Notably, thousands of villagers have been protesting against the state and the central government's decision to grant lease to Ultratech Cement Limited for extraction of limestone, from both agricultural and non-agricultural land, to be used in the manufacturing of cement. On January 2, a silent peaceful march as part of the agitation started with 1,500 people including women and children. The protestors started walking from Nicha Kotda to Bambhor to prevent mining which was to start between Talli and Bambhor village of Talaja taluka.

The Bhavnagar police intercepted the protestors on their way and used tear gas shells and lathicharge to restrain them, allegedly without any instigation. Police personnel (men) allegedly started beating up women and children, resulting in sporadic instances of stone pelting, mostly in retaliation, in which some of the policemen got injured. The petitioner—Bharat Bhil, who was part of the protestors had alleged that women and children were treated in the most inhuman and insensitive manner by police with complete gender insensitivity.

THE PROTEST

Thousands of villagers have been protesting against the state and the central government’s decision to grant lease to Ultratech Cement Ltd for extraction of limestone, from both agricultural & non-agricultural land, to be used in manufacturing of cement.