India, Oct. 12 -- Seventeen former officials and public figures, including ex-Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung and former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi, have expressed "serious concern" over the entry of police into Gurudwara Bangla Sahib during the October 10 protests, and sought an independent, time-bound inquiry, in a letter dated October 11.

The letter, addressed to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and the Delhi Police Commissioner, was issued by Citizens for Fraternity - Bharat (CFF-Bharat), with copies to the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities.

"Places of worship must not become extensions of police operations during public demonstrations," the lett...