Curfew still on in affected areas
M. Reyaz, TwoCircles.net
Dhule, Maharashtra: As the northern Maharashtra town of Dhule (Dhulia) is gradually coming back to ‘normalcy’ after the January 6 riot, one more person who was injured from the police bullet has succumbed to injuries. Legs of two more persons have been amputated.
In all about 40 persons are beloved to be injured from bullets. Earlier reports had suggested that police fired at the mob, when the stone pelting continued and injured many cops as well. All the persons injured from bullets, belong to minority community. Although there is no conclusive proof yet, there is fear that all around fired might not be from the police side.
Curfew was relaxed for an hour today, and the situation seems to be under control. However, owning to death of another person, it has not been lifted yet. Most shops belonging to Muslims’ remained shut even today.
On January 6 in the afternoon, what had begun as squabble over payment of vada paw when a Muslim youth had gone to eat at the “border” at a Hindu hawker’s stall, ended up into communal clashes, leading to stone pelting from both sides. Locals accuse the police of inaction in resolving the issue, when the two sides had approached for intervention.
As there was India-Pakistan match on Sunday, at the beginning rumor mills attached the incident to the quarrel over cricket match. TCN was the first one to report the incident, but it too had mentioned the ‘cricketing’ angle, although the vada paw incident too was referred to.
According to police about 8000 people had gathered and began stone pelting. Reports suggest the SP, who had come on the spot, too got hurt after which he left and police opened indiscriminate fire. According to TCN sources, about 40 rounds were fired by police. But eye witness suggest over 100 rounds were fired, that raises suspicion that members from mob too might have used the opportunity to fire bullets.
What is unfortunate is that all those who died, or are severely injured from bullets include members from the Muslim community, many of whom were not even part of the mob, but were incidentally passing from the spot at the time. Waseem Ahmed, who runs a diary business, was carrying milk in his vehicle when he was hit at thigh. He is now in hospital.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra DGP Javed Ahmed, who has been appointed to conduct an enquiry and submit report visited Dhule and met all concerned parties.
Shawwal Ameen, deputy mayor of Dhule, told TCN that as many peole are still critical there has not been any arrest so far. But there is fear in the Muslim community, that many of the youths might be arrested.
Dhule witnessed communal tension in 2008 as well when about 11 people lost their lives.
A press statement released today and signed by several social activists, including Ram Punyani, Asghar Ali Engineer, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and Dr. Mazhar Hussain, among others, condemned the police actions. They added, “Communal elements are trying to strengthen themselves through these activities. One is also fearful that these communal elements are stepping up their efforts as a prelude to the forth coming elections of 2014.
They have further appealed to people to avoid provocation by communal elements and urged them to overcome prevalent myths and biases against the ‘other communities.
While demanding steps to sensitize police forces, they reiterated the need to bring the Communal Violence (Prevention) Bill as suggested by NAC after suitable modifications and implement it as soon as possible.