Remaining closed for over 20 days, some of the shops belonging to Muslim trader in Purola town of Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district reopened on Saturday amid heavy police deployment. Muslim traders had shut their business establishments on May 28 following protest rallies by some Hindu right-wing organisations, and posters threatening them with consequences if they did not leave. There were also demands for verification of all ‘outsiders’ by local trader unions. “We opened our shops today after 21 days. The business was normal and I had around 12-13 customers today… Around 6-7 other Muslims who hadn’t left the town also opened their shops. It all appears to be peaceful now, but we are still scared. It will take us some time to feel normal,” said Mohammad Ashraf, who runs a garment shop in the main Purola market. Ashraf said that several Muslim shopkeepers who left the town are also expected to return in the coming days. However, over a dozen Muslim families have left the town for good, he said. Purola Circle Officer (CO) Surendra Singh Bhandari said: “The situation is back to normal. Everything is peaceful.” The tension started on May 26 after some people allegedly caught two men with a minor girl. With one of the two men a Muslim, residents alleged it was a case of “love jihad”. While the girl was sent back home, the two men – Ubaid Khan (24) and Jitendra Saini (23) – were booked under Sections 363 (kidnapping) 366A (procuration of minor girl) of the IPC, and under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. They are currently in judicial custody. Police had however denied any ‘love jihad’ angle. On Thursday, the Uttarakhand High Court had directed the state government to ensure that law and order and peace is maintained. The court directions came in connection with a plea by Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), seeking to prevent a June 15 mahapanchayat called by right-wing groups in Purola.
