Ballabhgarh Communal Tension: MLA Moolchand Sharma says all calm, but Muslims are wary

A quick clean-up job at Atali Village, but most villagers stay on at police station

communal violence, ballabhgarh, Atali village muslims, ballabhgarh violence, ballabhgarh riots, Sarpanch Rajesh Chaudhury, Delhi news

Muslims offer prayer at the Ballabgarh police station on Thursday. (Source: Express photo by Oinam Anand)

Three days after communal violence engulfed Atali village, sweepers went around the village clearing the debris left behind. Soot from burnt buildings was swept away, burnt tires were fished out from drains and countless bricks kept in a pile in one corner. But banishing the sense of unease that prevails in the village will not be as easy.

The Muslims in the village fled after the initial violence on Monday. A 60-year-old man who stayed behind, was attacked with axes on Wednesday. “The SHO from the local police station knew about what was happening. But he reacted slowly in sending troops to rescue us and gave attackers a window to carry out their carnage. If we don’t get justice, we’ll march to Delhi and protest until the union government takes notice,” said Nizam Ali, a local villager.

The police have since sent the SHO to the police lines, pending further investigation. But many like Ali, who are stranded at the Ballabgarh police station, said this was simply not enough.

[related-post]

Story continues below this ad

Ballabgarh MLA, BJP’s Moolchand Sharma, claimed the process of sending Muslims back to their homes had already begun. “Some of them have already returned home. Things are peaceful in the village and the BJP government will ensure that those who are accused are severely punished. We will work closely with the police to ensure that no further violence takes place in the village. The situation in the village is now completely calm,” he claimed.

But a visit to the village proved otherwise. The village headman, Sarpanch Rajesh Chaudhury had on Wednesday made a case for the Muslims peacefully returning to the village and resuming construction of the mosque. Later in the evening, he was attacked by “certain elements” and was forced to flee, the police said. “He was speaking among other village elders and trying to convince them to end this violence. But then later, when the police wasn’t around he was attacked,” a senior police officer said.

Meanwhile, a slew of meetings followed with the sub-divisional magistrate repeatedly trying to bring a consensus between the two communities. During the meetings, the riot-affected victims also submitted their complaints to the administration and the police.

One of the proposals floated by the administration was to make space for the families to stay in a school near the village until the situation became calmer. However, the Muslim community rejected this proposal. “We don’t want to leave the police station. We feel that the minute we leave the police station, we’ll stop being relevant for them and we’ll simply be forgotten,” said Isak Lambardar, a community elder.

Story continues below this ad

Ramchander Rathi, ACP (Tigaon) said, “About 3,000 police officers and personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been placed at various sensitive zones to ensure no further episodes of violence.”

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram