Azizpur violence: They came with petrol cans and axes, say residents

Police had on Monday arrested Azizpur resident Sadat, alias Vicky, for his alleged role in Sahni’s death because they believe he suspected the teenager of having a “love affair” with his sister.

Over 50 villagers, who had taken refuge in neighbouring villages, returned to Azizpur on Tuesday, with some of them alleging “a deep-rooted conspiracy” behind the violence and the involvement of “outsiders who looted jewellery and goats”.

They also said that many of those who helped them escape were Hindus from the neighbouring villages.

Apart from the five confirmed dead, the three who are still missing have been identified as Mohammed Mustafa, Mohammed Salim and Zafir Ansari. Police have also identified one of the five bodies, which was charred beyond recognition, as that of Mohammed Shamim, 19.

Salma Khatoon, the mother of Shamim, was one of the worst-affected as her husband Mohammed Akhtar (55), too, was beaten to death and her grandson, Mustafa, is among the missing. Relatives of the other two missing echoed Salma’s fears that the three may have been killed.

“They (the attackers) came with petrol cans, axes and spades and dragged us out of our house. They set fire to our motorbike. It was when they tried to put my seven-year-old daughter Yasmeen on fire that we ran for safety,” said Jasima Khatoon, who returned from her relatives’ house in Ufraul village, 10 km away.

Jasima’s sister-in-law, Salima Khatoon, whose house was still reeking of petrol, showed an empty case, saying the jewellery she had bought for her daughter Tabassum’s marriage was missing.

Mohammed Alauddin, whose house appeared to have been completely gutted, said that his family was given shelter by a Hindu from another village.

“I fled with eight members of my family and spent a few hours hiding in a maize field before taking shelter at the house of Ambika Singh of Belsar,” he said.

Alauddin’s son Mohammed added that at least six Hindu families helped save the lives of many Muslims who were targeted by the mob. He alleged that police teams stayed put nearly 3 km away during the attack and arrived at the village only around 3 pm on Sunday after the mob had dispersed.

Nazma Khatoon, another resident, said four of her goats had been stolen. “They looked like robbers. If there was any mistake committed by anyone from Azizpur, they should have settled it with him. Why target us?” she asked.

DIG (Tirhut Range) A K Mishra said that the villagers returned after police provided them with “adequate cover”. “Our first job was to bring all the villagers back to Azizpur,” he added.

Asked about allegations of a conspiracy, Muzaffarpur SSP Ranjit Kumar Mishra said, “We have not got any such leads. We have just started investigating the case.”

Govt orders probe

Even as opposition BJP leader Sushil Modi visited Azizpur and demanded a judicial probe into the violence, the Bihar government ordered an inquiry and shunted three police officers from the local Saraiya station.

“Only a judicial probe can ensure a fair investigation because there were obviously lapses by police,” said Modi.

Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, meanwhile, promised a speedy trial of the accused. The government also moved out the Saraiya circle inspector, police station in-charge and investigating officer, while setting up an inquiry by the Home Secretary and Additional DGP (HQ).