By M Reyaz, TwoCircleles.net,
Muzaffarnagar: The latest incident of gang rape of a 20 year old girl from the relief camp of Jogia-Khera under Fugana police station has added another spark in the already tense environment of Muzffarnagar after September 7 riots.
The girl, who originally hails from Fugana village, the epicenter of Septmber7-8 violence has been living at a relief camp in Jogia-Khera, a Muslim majority village, was allegedly abducted by a group of Jat youths when she was collecting dry woods for cooking and was taken to the Fugana village, where she was allegedly gang raped.
Situations in relief camp is deplorable with little basic amenities.
A medical test has confirmed raped, and two accused — identified as Sachin and Sunil Kumar – have been arrested.
This is not the only incident of rape in the riot hit Muzaffarnagar. During the deadly September communal flare up, several cases of rape, gang rape and sexual assault of girls and women had surfaced. From Laakh and Lisaad villages alone five cases of gang rapes have been registered in the Fugana Police station, but no arrest has been made so far, although most of the accused are named and are from the same villages.
KP Sharma, SHO Fugana, told TCN, “Five cases of rapes and gang rapes have been registered with us, but as the special investigation cell (SIC) has been formed, we are waiting for their directions.”
This is not an isolated case in the very fragile environment of Muzaffarnagar. On Wednesday evening three Muslim youths Afroz, 20, Meherban, 21, and Ajmal, 22 from Hussainpur Kalan were beaten, stabbed and shot dead by the Jat mob from nearby Muhammadpurraisingh village under Budhana police station.
Earlier reports had suggested that the youths were killed in retaliation to an attack on Rajindar Fauji, a retired army personnel from Muhammadpur Raisingh, by a group of 30-40 men from Hussainpur. However, Rajindar Fauji had not lodged any FIR of attack, and has been subsequently arrested on murder charges.
Dhananjay Mishra, SHO Budhana, confirmed to TCN that “the story of attack on Rajindar appears fabricated,” adding that if at all he was attacked by a large armed group, how he could escape with only minor injuries and at instant gather even larger group. The SHO of Budhana suggested some kind of pre-planned conspiracy.
A case against 15 people have been lodged in connection and so far eight persons have been arrested.
Panchayat at Hussainpur, Shahnawaz Khan, cousin of three killed sitting at center
The communal riots that tore through Muzaffarnagar and adjoining Shamli from the 6th to the 13th September were unprecedented in its history. Total number of deaths, according to official records, is over 62. Over 40000 people, mostly Muslims have been forced to live in relief camps since then.
The roots of the unfortunate developments lay in what could have been a great step forward towards a Jat-Muslim reconciliation. After the initial flare of violence which occurred in the month of September killing 63 and displacing more than 50000, mostly minorities from their homes, the Muslims from Hussainpur had been trying to mend their differences with the Jat and Gujjar dominated Muhammadpur-Raisingh village. In response to their efforts the villagers of Muhammadpur Rai Singh also came forward while the whole process was endorsed by government officials of Muzaffarnagar.
Panchayat of Jats at Muhammadpur-Raisingh.
But soon, cracks appeared in the Jat dominated group as they demanded withdrawal of cases as precondition for talks. A faction of the Jat dominated group which opposed the reconciliation demanded that the Muslim victims of September riots, who had fled their village and took refuge in Hussainpur, which was safe even when whole Muzaffarnagar burned, must take back a murder case registered against the person who was allegedly at the helm of killing the cousin of the village chief of Hussainpur and only then would they contemplate a possible solution. The villagers from Hussainpur refused to comply with their demands and still deny handing over the Muslims victims to them. “It infuriated the Jats and they ambushed the youths when they walked into the fields in the evening,” says Shahnawaz.
On the other side Kavita Devi, Rajinder’s wife, claims that her husband, despite being brutally attacked, was picked up the police last evening and has not returned since. She vehemently declares Shahnawaz’s statement as a fabrication.
A street at Muzaffarnagar town.
Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police, Devraj Nagar, admitted the administrative laxity in avoiding or dealing with the fresh violence. “We accept lapses on our part and will definitely take strong action,” he assured as the paramilitary force swarmed sensitive areas.
Meanwhile, the hopes of the riot victims of inching towards an amicable solution have further dimmed. Just when they had begun to think no more of it would come, their fears have all but simply returned.
Muslims from Hussainpur have now threatened to call a Mahapanchayat on November 7, the culprits are not brought to justice. Meanwhile, on Friday a Panchayat of Jats where called and they have also called a Mahapanchayat on November 6.
In the communally vitiated Muzaffarnagar, the district administration has completely failed to control the situation. People from both sides are fearing “deadlier clashes” in the coming days.