In a memorandum handed over to the Chief Minister, the VHP leaders charged the BJP Government with "giving a free hand to pro-Pakistan elements" and "allowing the police to commit atrocities on Hindus arrested in large number during the disturbances".

Earlier in the day, Minister of State for Home Haren Pandya told reporters that the Intelligence branch of the State police had begun investigations into what caused the riots and the forces involved in the violence that suddenly broke out in Ahmedabad on July 21.

The memorandum signed by VHP leaders K K Shastri and Dilip Trivedi warned the government against the arrest of a large number of Hindus during the violence, saying that "this has hurt the feelings of the entire Hindu society".

"Is this justified in the BJP's Model State, and will this help restore peace in the city?" they wanted to know.

The VHP leaders claimed that the violence was provoked by the anti-Pak slogans raised during effigy-burnings of Nawaz Sharif which had hurt the feelings of a section of the population.

Alleging that the riots were pre-planned, VHP functionaries said it was a deep-rooted conspiracy to divert people's mind from India's Kargil victory.

They advised the government to shun the facade of "protecting minority interests", saying that the government should not act under the influence of the National Minority Commission. They demanded adequate protection for Hindus in view of the forthcoming festivals in the State.

After the 40-minute meeting with the Chief Minister, a senior VHP leader told Express Newsline that the delegation had demanded stricter action against the anti-national elements involved in the disturbances. He also denied the VHP's involvement in the violence.