Shia women pick up pieces

BHOPAL: Two days after homes of Iranian Shias were torched by a mob, around 50 riot-scarred women returned to Aman Colony to pick up the pieces and scour for valuables among charred remains. They came in auto-rickshaws around noon, many of them still injured and limping with bandages strapped across heads as they walked through the ghost town which was once their bustling home and hearth.
They broke down after spotting their gutted homes. Ashes had turned wet after Friday night’s rain and they dug through cinders of what was once their living or bedroom for that elusive chest or memorabilia they could not collect to escape mob fury.
Their feelings ranged from pain, nostalgia to fear. While few wanted to return, others demanded the government should rehabilitate them elsewhere. Most Shia women pledged to take their fight for justice to Delhi.
Eyes welling with tears, the women pleaded for justice while picked up soaked clothes and other belongings. Zareena, 55, said, “We will go to the national capital and won’t budge till we get justice.”
Police said the 20,000-strong mob that unleashed terror on Shias also comprised armed women. They too participated in the mayhem, said officials of Nishatpura police.
Speaking to TOI, riot victims said nobody from the administration came forward to help. “We are residing with our relatives near the railway station. When we reached home, a few Hindus came with rotis when came to know about our plight,” Ruksar, 45.
Police have locked some of the burnt houses. Reacting angrily, Salma, 30, said, “what’s left in the house to lock? Everything has been robbed. How will we survive the winters? We do not even have clothes.”
Another woman, Shanu, 40, said, “attackers first looted cash and valuables and then set it ablaze. All our household goods, including television, refrigerators, almirahs even utensils and clothes have been gutted,” she said. “The holy Quran is still left in my house,” said Nilofar, 30. Police calculated losses of around 35 houses and pegged it at around Rs 4-5 lakh per house. Cops camping in the area said there are no curbs on those willing to return home. Security will be provided to them, said a police official.
Cases of arson, attempt to murder and rioting against 1,500 people have been registered. Of them, around 70 accused have been identified. Few people residing alongside Aman Colony, who could become accused in the case, alleged 40 houses were burgled on Friday night. Police said they must come personally to lodge cases. “These people are sending their relatives to lodge FIR and this could be a tactic to divert attention,” said station house officer of Nishatpura police station, Dinesh Joshi. The area has been cordoned off and only women were allowed inside.
To a query on why identity of accused, including women are not being revealed, police said, it was a precautionary measure to prevent them from fleeing. On Saturday, police officials were busy making security arrangements for Chehllum procession on Sunday. The timing and other details are being worked out to ensure no untoward incidents take place, a police officer said.