From correspondents in Gujarat, India, 09:00 PM IST

The inquiry commission probing the Godhra train carnage and subsequent communal violence in Gujarat in 2002 has been given an extension of six months till Dec 31 after its term expired on Monday.

The extension came after its renewed term ended Monday.

The two-member commission comprises of Justice G.T. Nanavati and Justice Akshay Mehta.

Justice Mehta replaced Justice K.G. Shah, who died in March.

The Gujarat government set up the panel March 6, 2002, asking it to submit its report within three months.

However, its term has been repeatedly extended by six months. It has recorded evidence and statements from more than 40,000 witnesses and survivors of the violence in which 1,169 people were killed over a few weeks.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)