Memories of 2013 are too scary: Muzaffarnagar riots victims

  • | Sunday | 9th September, 2018

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Five years after communal riots displaced over 50,000 people in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts of western UP, the victims still remember their homes, but are in no mood to return. “As many as 25 families from Bahawadi are currently living here in Ekta colony, which was set up after the riots for displaced families like ours. No one from here has ever gone back,” he said.Rehana Adeeb from Astitva, an NGO working for riots victims, said, “Not a single person has returned to villages like Lank and Bahawadi in Shamli and Phugana, Kakra and Kutba in Muzaffarnagar. Today, we are living in poor conditions and have to face taunts for members of other communities who call us refugees. Anyone who wants to go back will get the administration complete help and support.

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Five years after communal riots displaced over 50,000 people in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts of western UP, the victims still remember their homes, but are in no mood to return. “Our ancestors are buried in those villages, but the memories of 2013 are too scary for us to even think about going back,” said Gafur Ahmed, 45, who fled from his house in Bahawadi village of Shamli district during the riots.Gafur and six other members of his family are currently staying in a resettlement colony in Muzaffarnagar’s Jola village. “As many as 25 families from Bahawadi are currently living here in Ekta colony, which was set up after the riots for displaced families like ours. No one from here has ever gone back,” he said.Rehana Adeeb from Astitva, an NGO working for riots victims, said, “Not a single person has returned to villages like Lank and Bahawadi in Shamli and Phugana, Kakra and Kutba in Muzaffarnagar. People are just too scared to return and the administration has not been able to win their confidence.”Taju Ahmad, 65, who retired from the Indian Army , is currently living with his family in a resettlement colony in Shahpur area in Muzaffarnagar. “We used to happily live in our own house in Kakra village. But everything changed after 2013. Today, we are living in poor conditions and have to face taunts for members of other communities who call us refugees. However, we will never go back as we cannot risk the life of our children,” he said.“No politician has bothered to see us in the last two years.,” said Rashid Ahmed from Ekta colony.Muzaffarnagar DM Rajeev Sharma said, “We cannot force people to return to their villages but can ensure their safety and security. Anyone who wants to go back will get the administration complete help and support. There is nothing to fear.”

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