V K Duggal, Union home secretary, claimed that the situation in Vadodara is tense but under control.
He was addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.
"Six lives were lost in the violence. Two because of the communal clashes, two on account of police firing and one each in stabbing and the mob setting a vehicle on fire in which the driver was allegedly burnt alive. Four of those who died are Muslims while the other two are Hindus," he said.
Duggal said that Home Minister Shivraj Patil spoke to Gujarat chief minister at 1 am on Wednesday and he (Duggal) himself spoke to the chief secretary of the state around 3 am.
"The state had requested for six companies of paramilitary forces and five including four of Rapid Action Force were dispatched to the state. More are being kept as reserves. Our priority is to contain communal violence first and then go in for a quick inquiry to find out the reasons as to why the situation snowballed out of hand," he said.
He requested the media and particularly the television channels to broadcast the statements of only those who were responsible and answerable to the government.
He pointed out that this was a law and order situation which took a communal turn.
"Gujarat high court has given orders about demolition of places of worship, which are encroaching on government land. I do not know the exact words but the state administration could move the higher authority to seek redressal in case of demolitions in Ahmedabad," he said.
On being asked when the state government would start the inqiury, he said, "I have told the chief secretary and he would place the view before the chief minister who is visiting the trouble torn area right now and would return to Gandhinagar in the afternoon. If he approves of the idea the inquest could begin forthwith," he said.
He admitted that there may have been some lapses by the concerned district officers or police officials.
"But I have no reason to believe that these officials did not act promptly to bring the situation under control. If there is any dereliction of duty it would come out in inquest," he said.
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