Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Government has so far filed 109 replies, in the form of affidavits by various departments including police regarding their role and duty during the post-Godhra communal violence, before the two-man commission comprising Justice (retd) G T Nanavati and Justice (retd) K G Shah.

The process that began in December last year would go on till mid March and the commission has communicated that anybody who wishes to cross examine any witness should prepare and submit a list by March 19, commission sources said today 9Mar 5, 2004).

The sources said that the affidavits were filed to save time, as it would certainly be a speedier process that each official being called before the commission one at a time to depose.

Police officials, municipal corporations and other Government departments submitted the affidavits in which they described their role during the communal riots in Gujarat.

This includes the affidavit of the former director general of police K Chakravarthi and ex-Ahmedabad city police commissioner P C Pande.

The commission would commence hearing on April six, the sources said.

Among some of the incidents during the riots, a crucial one mentioned by former joint commissioner of police (sector 2) M K Tandon is when 1,717 litres of petrol was reportedly pilferaged from a petrol pump in Rakhial area of the city by a rioting mob.

Though the incident occurred on February 27, 2002 the complaint was registered only on March eight that year.

This incident was brought to the notice of the Commission in an annexure to an affidavit filed by Tandon.