Representations from the Hindu community of Rawalpindi have been submitted to Sir John Maynard and the District Magistrate, accusing local police of serious misconduct during and after the recent riots. The allegations, made by responsible Hindu leaders including the President of the local Hindu Sabha, claim that police officials not only facilitated the mob's incendiary activities but also connived in the removal of looted property using bullock carts from the mandi.
Police Inaction and Delayed Reporting
According to the representations, shop owners were prevented from entering the mandi to extinguish fires, while police made no attempt to do so. Furthermore, reports from Hindus were not recorded until two or three days after the disorder, and no effort was made to arrest offenders or recover looted property when it would have been easier. The complainants argue that the continued presence of the implicated police officers and the investigation being conducted by constables under their influence render the probe largely ineffective.
Demand for Impartial Inquiry
The Hindu representatives have offered to prove their allegations if the government institutes an impartial inquiry. They emphasize that the current investigation setup undermines justice for the aggrieved Hindus.
