New Delhi: Justice continues to evade the victims and survivors of the Gujarat riots and they live in continuing fear, UN representative Asma Jahangir said today as she questioned the state government's assertion that development will heal the wounds.

Jahangir, who is the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion, also expressed concern over the protraction of the inquiry into the demolition of Babri Masjid, saying the extended timeframe of investigations in cases involving communal riots only keeps tensions simmering and devalues justice.

"In my discussions with the victims I could see their continuing fear which is exacerbated by the distress that justice continues to evade most victims and survivors (of the Gujarat riots)," she told a press conference here.

The noted Pakistani human rights activist, who presented a report on her two-and-a-half-week-long tour of the country, claimed that even today there is increasing ghettoisation and isolation of Muslims in certain areas of the state.

"The assertion of the state government that development by itself will heal the wounds does not seem to be realistic," she said, adding it is crucial to recognise that development without a policy of inclusiveness of all communities will only add to aggravate resentments.

She said she was concerned at the extended timeframe of probe in cases involving communal riots, violence and massacres such as those that occurred in 1984,1992 and 2002.

Citing the 44th extension to the Liberhan Commission probing the 1992 demolition of Babri Masjid, Jahangir said, "unreasonable protraction of the inquiry only keeps tensions simmering and devalues justice."

Source : PTI