The Hindu : Violence unabated in Ahmedabad

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 07, 2002

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Violence unabated in Ahmedabad

By Manas Dasgupta

AHMEDABAD MAY 6. At least six persons were killed — two of them stoned to death — and several injured in Ahmedabad as violence that erupted on Sunday after four days of respite continued unabated for the second day today.

Elsewhere in riot-torn Gujarat, at least 15 persons were injured in a bomb explosion in a State transport bus in Lunawada in the tribal-dominated Panchamahals district. Incidents of stone-throwing and group clashes were also reported from some of the curfew-bound areas in Vadodara.

Two bicyclists — believed to be daily wagers going to work — were stopped and stoned to death near Dhor Bazar locality under the Kagdapith police station. The police, however, claimed that the two were killed when rival groups were hurling stones at each other.

In another incident, a middle-aged person was stabbed to death and his body set afire in the Kankaria locality. And three persons died of the injuries sustained in police firing in the Behrampura locality. While one person died in the hospital late last night, two died today taking the total deaths in the city in the last two days to 12. The conditions of at least five others were stated to be critical. The Rapid Action Force and other para-military forces have been deployed in Behrampura, Shah Alam and Kankaria areas.

Reports of exchange of fire were also received from Shahpur and Behrampura localities but police maintained that there was no casualty. A few shops and houses were also set ablaze in Shah Alam locality in Behrampura despite the curfew. Indefinite curfew remained in force in Dani Limda and Shahpur where it was imposed yesterday following large-scale violence in which six persons were killed.

As violence continued unabated, the State secondary and higher secondary education board announced yet another examination schedule to begin from June 3 as per the assurance given by the Gujarat Government to the Supreme Court. The students who could not appear in the second phase of examinations held from April 18, and those living in relief camps (even if they had appeared in the examinations) would be allowed to appear in the third phase. Over 1,000 10th and 12th standard students are staying in the relief camps of Ahmedabad and Vadodara alone.

The ruling BJP and the Congress indulged in allegations and counter-allegations over "instigating riots.'' While the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, said at a public function in Surat that the Congress was "instigating violence'' in the State for political gains, the Gujarat Congress president, Amarsinh Chaudhary, said the violence started yesterday was "clearly sponsored by the State Government.''

The Security Adviser to the Chief Minister, K. P. S. Gill, who left for Delhi yesterday, is yet to return. But the Minister of State for Home, Gordhan Jhadaphiya, did not hide his displeasure over Mr. Gill's appointment.

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