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The Union Home Ministry decided on 1 February 2006 to rush central paramilitary forces to the tribal-dominated Dangs district in Gujarat following intelligence inputs that tension was brewing in the region over the contentious conversion issue and the proposed "Shabri Kumbh" of the Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to be held from 11-13 February 2006. The decision to rush reinforcement from the Centre was taken following a high-level security review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. In the wake of intelligence inputs, the Home Ministry had deputed a team, led by AK Mitra, special secretary, internal security in the Ministry of Home Affairs, to visit Dangs. Mitra submitted his report following a three-day visit to the region. Highly placed ministry sources said Mitra, in his report, had also indicated that there was large-scale mobilisation of cadre by the Sangh Parivar outfits and some rival groups. The report was discussed at length in the meeting on 1 February 2006. The ministry, in consultation with the State Government, has decided to deploy several companies of RAF in Dangs. In addition, some companies of CRPF have also been sent to Gujarat from the neighbouring states. The Centre issued an advisory to the Gujarat Government to ensure that the "build-up" in Dangs did not lead to communal tension. The ministry also assured the state that additional forces could be rushed, if required. Sources said the Centre had asked the state's intelligence units to closely monitor the movement of the Sangh Parivar units, particularly the VHP, Bajrang Dal and its top leaders. Earlier, various Christian organisations headed by All India Christian Council had complained to the state police that the 'Shabri Kumbh' would raise the spectre of communal violence in the region. Police chief AK Bhargava also briefed Mitra on various security measures being taken to prevent untoward incidents during the three-day "kumbh" at Subir village in Dangs district, where nearly five lakh people were expected to converge.
(Courtesy: The Hindustan Times)
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