Godhra: The verdict in Godhra train burning case after a wait of nine years seems to have driven a wedge in the town’s Muslim community. Families and well-wishers of those handed death sentence and life term are quite miffed at ‘silent celebration’ by those absolved of the charges.
The clash between two groups at Godhra a few hours after special court announced quantum of punishment on Tuesday underlines the division within the community.
‘Neither celebrate nor wail’
Well before the judgment was announced on February 22, the community members were reportedly told neither to celebrate for acquittal nor wail for conviction. The wise men were aware that a mixed judgment will only lead to bitterness among the members. Yet what happened was exactly what the elders wanted to keep the community away from.
Spiritual leaders and elders had to rush to Signal Falia to separate the groups which were pelting stones at each other. The community members, though, tried to hide their division from the outside world by staying tight-lipped and not offering any comment to the eager media persons who had descended on the town in the hope of some juicy quotes.
Situation at Signal Falia, from where the mob reportedly came to attack Sabarmati Express on February 22, 2002, morning remains tense. Strangers are seen with a suspicious eye by the people thinking they have come to meet the families of the convicted. Media is strictly not allowed in their homes.
No to media interaction
On February 22, when 31 accused were pronounced guilty by the special court at Sabarmati Jail in Ahmedabad, the brother of one of the accused had protested media’s interaction with Naseemabanu, the wife of Siraj Mohammad Meda alias Bala who was finally awarded death sentence a week later.
Informal interaction with the local populace makes it amply clear that families of the convicted are sad and at the same time angry. Ferdosh Kothi, President of Godhra Muslim Ganchi Samaj, said, “The families (of those convicted) are in a state of shock and are not in a position to say anything. They have decided to wait till they receive a copy of the judgment. Then they will appeal in higher court and take all possible legal steps.”
Nine years after the ghastly incident at Signal Falia in Godhra where 59 passengers of the Sabarmati Express were allegedly burnt alive on February 27, 2002, the spot wears a deserted look today. Residents of Godhra want to forget the unfortunate incident and avoid going anywhere near the place where it happened. Just some hours before a special court awarded death sentence for 11 convicted in Godhra train burning case and pronounced life term for 20 other accused in the same case. Except rail employees who work on the track and waste collectors, no one dares to venture out near pole number 468, 100 metres from the Godhra railway station.
When this correspondent and photographer visited the place, the trains were passing by the station and the railway men were lubricating the track joints. After gathering some information the duo set out in the direction of the ill-fated place.
On the way we met some locals who on seeing a photographer with a camera knew that we are from the media and refused to respond to any of our queries. A local told us, “We do not know anything. We have just built our shop here recently and we know nothing that could help you in your article.” Others stared at us suspiciously.
Mum’s the word
We decided to move further. One after another, we met many people but no one said anything about the incident. Forget the incident; they even refused to show us the place where the incident took place.
To decide on our next step, we sat under a shade. A garbage picker was collecting waste nearby. We asked him how long he has been living in Godhra. He identified himself as Mahesh who worked in the railway canteen, but lost his job and since then he has been on the streets.
He took us to the place where it all happened. “This place is still haunted. See the fire marks on this pole bear testimony to the February 27, 2002 incident. Signal Fadia is just 100 metres away from this place where the security personnel are placed.”
The burnt S6 coach has been removed from this place and kept near a tower marked ‘abandoned’ where all the derelict bogies are dumped. A security ring comprising around five armed personnel guards the place round the clock.
The S6 carriage has been blocked for visitors. The doors of the coach have been shut with fencing and dry tree branches. The security personnel have tied a wire to the window pane of the bogey and a nearby electric pole to dry their clothes.
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