By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Even four days after a communal riot broke out in Moradabad normalcy remains a distant dream for the residents of half a dozen villages in Mainther police station area of this Western Uttar Pradesh city. Already 38 people are behind bars while residents put the number on higher side. Four cases have been lodged by the police against the villagers.
The violence erupted after police constables allegedly desecrated the holy Quran during a raid at a house in the village. Emotions ran high and violence erupted in which half a dozen policemen including the local DIG were injured.
As on Tuesday, situation in these villages, Dingarpur, Ahsalat Nagar Bagha, Mainather is far from normal. Some villagers have returned but most of them still prefer to stay away fearing police backlash. No political or religious leader is allowed entry inside the affected villages. Heavy police presence has been put on the ten kilometer stretch of Moradabad-Sambhal highway. There are reports that four shops too have been looted by the police. In short an undeclared curfew is clamped in the area.
Meanwhile, Imam (prayer leader) of Shahi Masjid, Maulana Syed Masoom Ali Azad told TwoCircles.net over phone that administration is yet to initiate a probe into the incident of desecration of Quran. “The administration is postponing the enquiry by saying that first let the situation be normal. Now things are getting normal. Schools are open, markets are running but where is the probe for Holy Quran’s desecration,” he said.
“We are co-operating with the administration for normalizing the situation but we want action against the guilty officials also,” he said.