Remains of riots? Bones found in Gujarat village

Ahmedabad Bones suspected to be of victims of post-Godhra riots were found by a Supreme Court appointed investigation team at Ode village in Anand district of Gujarat during an excavation, revealed sources.

The bones were found by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Supreme Court at Piruwali Bhagol, where a house was burnt down during the 2002 riots, the sources added.

The SIT was constituted by the apex court to probe the Godhra train burning and post Godhra riot cases. Nearly 25 people were killed by rioters six years ago and the SIT has been conducting a search operation for the past 2 days at 3 sites at Ode village.

According to sources, the bones were packed in plastic bags and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in

Gandhinagar for testing.

Sources said that ever since the riots, the villagers have been saying that some people were burnt alive in the house.

Piruwali Bhagol, a step-well in Ode main bazaar and a dry well located in Malay Bhagol area are the sites where the SIT is conducting the excavation.

According to sources, local authorities under the supervision of Shivanand Jha, an SIT member, are conducting the search.

Heavy-duty pumps are being used to empty the step-well in the main bazar. "We have been pumping out water for three days now but still, there is lot of water to be pumped out," said a district official involved in the search operation.

The SIT, till date, have made 1 arrest in the Gulbarg society case where thirty eight persons including Congress’ ex MP, Ehasan Jafry, were killed. 9 teams have been formed by the SIT. Each headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, to assist in the probe.

The members of SIT visited the sites of riots and familiarised themselves with the sequence of events that

occurred during the violence.

The team also visited the site where S6 coach of the Sabarmati Express train was burnt near Godhra railway station for inspection.

The SIT was asked to submit its final report within three months of its formation by the apex court. Former CBI chief, R K Raghvan, is heading the SIT while former DGP of Uttar Pradesh, A Sathpathy, is a member of the team along with three IPS officers of Gujarat - Geetha Johri, Ashish Bhatia and Shivanand Jha