Rathyatra may trigger violence, fear riot-hit

Having feared opposition from their neighbours earlier, riot victims staying in camps across the city are now refusing to return to their homes apprehending violence during Rathyatra on July 12 which also happens to be a Friday.

The victims, especially in Behrampura, Naroda and Chamanpura fear that violence might erupt again and are refusing to even start rebuilding their shops and houses, organiser of Aman Chowk relief camp in Bapunagar, Taufiqkhan Pathan said.

"We have closed down our camp but people from these areas refuse to go. We have about 400 persons who are still staying with us," he said. About 20 families from Naroda Patiya and 60 families from Meghaninagar, Roshanbhai Chawl, Chiloda and Chamanpura do not wish to go back till the Rathyatra is over, Mr. Pathan said.

He added that the people were not even starting repair work as they feared that all that effort might prove futile if violence breaks out during the Rathyatra.

"We do not get anything from the collector's office and as per the records, the camp is closed. However, since people continue to stay here we have to continue the camp unofficially," he said.

Similarly, the Sunderamnagar relief camp continues o give refuge to about 40 families even though it is now officially closed. Camp organiser, Farooq Azam said that families from Sanjaynagar, Ambicanagar and Deepnagar near Naroda, Naroda-Patiya and Katadav were not willing to go to their homes before he Rathyatra.

"I personally took them to their houses to ask them to resettle, but saw that their apprehensions were not misplaced.

Therefore, we decided to let them stay on here. The neighbours are not hostile but they did say that they would not be responsible for what outsiders would do and there is no police bandobast or any guarantee of safety," he said.

The organisers of the Dariyakhan Ghummat camp are facing similar problems. Refugees from Naroda and Chamanpura have sought refuge in this camp as well.

"The fear of violence is quite palpable among the people and we cannot ask them to go and say in their homes," camp organiser Innamulah Khan said.

Republished from The Asian Age