By TCN News,
Patna: The way, in which the government of Bihar is pursuing the matter of communal attack in Azizpur village of Muzaffarpur, it seems that the government of Bihar intends to make the fate of Muzaffarpur communal attack case same as of Hashimpura, members of civil society are of the opinion.
Violence broke out in Azizpur-Bahilwara village near Saraiya in Muzaffarpur district in north Bihar on January 18. It killed at least five people and almost all the 56 Muslim (Pasmanda) households were looted and burnt over reported love affair with a girl from another community.
An FIR was lodged and five policemen were suspended for dereliction of duty; while fourteen people have been arrested.
Samaj Bachao Andolan held a press conference in Patna on March 28. Advocate Mohammad Kashif Yunus, who is also the Chief Convener of the Aandolan, Co-Convener Reyaz Atish and Secretary Birendra Singh spoke to the media persons.
No detailed enquiry was done in order to find out that what roles were being played by the MLA of Paru, his brother and supporters in this case .Their phone records should be checked in order to find out that which people of Bahilwada and Azizpur village were in touch with the MLA, his brother and colleague, civil society members gathered at a meeting organized by Samaj Bachao Andlan, demanded. They also demanded a separate enquiry in the matter by a Magistrate.
No major steps have been taken by the government or the administration to arrest the main accused. In fact an accused escaped from the Police custody and it was not even inquired that which officers were responsible for it, they alleged.
Even today, the people of Azizpur are in fear and it is because of this fear that is hesitating from getting their statements recorded. And the ones who have given their statements feel unsafe. The government has not taken any steps to ensure their safety. In such a condition, it may happen that the witnesses would be in fear or they might not be able to give a proper statement and due to which the accused will be released and after 10-20 years we will see a congenial result as we have seen in the case of Hashimpura, these civil society members worry.
The riot victims from Azizpur village Salma Khatoon and Zahida Khatoon also spoke to the media and explained the trauma, fear and threat that they are still facing. They also said that they don’t want to live any more in Azizpur village as the study of their children is getting affected . Children are in trauma and they are not ready to go to school due to fear of getting killed. But they are not financially able to shift from Azizpur village to some other place.
Samaj Bachao Andolan has put up the following demands:
1- Measures should be taken by the Police to arrest every accused person.
2- An investigative team under a retired judge should be formed.
3-Villagers should be given all assurances of security to dispel any fear.
4- Government jobs should be offered to the kin of victims and proper compensation should be paid.
5- Role of police, local politicians and Hindutva organizations should be investigated and officers found guilty should immediately be punished for fair probe.
6- The court should take Suo-Motto action in this matter and supervise the investigation.
Related:
Untold stories from Muzaffarpur