AP: Report on police firing sought

The National Commission for Minorities has sought a report from the Andhra Pradesh Government on the circumstances that led to police firing above the waist on protesters during protests in the aftermath of the blast at the Mecca mosque in Hyderabad.

Taking suo motu cognizance of post-mortem reports which indicate that of the five persons killed in the police firing, four died as a result of bullet injuries sustained above the waist level, the Commission has sought a full report from the state government on the issue.

"The Commission is aware that prescribed procedures for resorting to police firing stipulate, inter alia, that the police must aim their guns in such a manner as to avoid loss of life and consequently, direct the fire at the legs only.

"The instances cited above tend to suggest that this provision is being observed in the breach, the Commission therefore urges the Central and the state governments to ensure that the police force discharges its functions lawfully," the NCM said in a statement.

Fourteen people were killed, including five in police firing, in the bomb blast at the historic mosque in Hyderabad on May 18.