GO TO SOURCE


ABASANA, GUJARAT, INDIA, April 3, 2002: “You are welcome to Hindu nation’s village…..” — such “welcome” boards can be seen lined all along the road as one drives down to this village in Gujarat State. But Abasana is an exception as no such proclamation of Hindutva greets you to it, states this report in the Hindustan Times. This village was peaceful till Tuesday, when “outsiders” attacked two Muslim families, roasted alive five people in the dead of the night, just prior to the visit of India’s Prime Minister to Gujarat. The families of Ismailbhai, 50 and Dawoodbhai, 45, had been living in this village, about 85 km from Ahmedabad, for at least two generations. They had no enmity with any one, said the villagers, who appeared too shocked to express their anguish. Madar Singh, the village panchayat sarpanch (like a mayor), told this correspondent that the village had always enjoyed complete harmony. And though only four minority families lived among the 2000-odd population of Durbars and Patels, they had never felt insecure. Even after the statewide turmoil following the Godhra train massacre, there was no trouble in this village. But, some unknown elements ridiculed the villagers for their harmony by sending them parcels containing bangles with a note attached saying, “You cowards could not finish the few……”. Following this, the villagers had themselves organized night patrolling on two sides of the village for at least 20 days as a precautionary measure. Night patrolling had been called off only three or four days ago, the sarpanch said. The police, who are stationed at Detroj taluka eight kilometers away, said that they have no clue as to who could be behind the gruesome attack.

Post Views: 287