Good Samaritans save the day

AHMEDABAD, July 28: Even amid the barbaric frenzy that has engulfed the walled city areas for the past week and claimed seven lives, ther...

AHMEDABAD, July 28: Even amid the barbaric frenzy that has engulfed the walled city areas for the past week and claimed seven lives, there is hope that all is not lost, thanks to a handful of persons.

At about 11.00 am on July 26, Harshadbhai Modi of P D Dhanjibhai Dudhwala, a shop in Jamalpur area, was about to close shop when he heard some noise outside. But even before he could do anything, a mob had collected. Sensing trouble, Modi bolted the shop and went to the first floor, not knowing what to do.

As the agitated mob was preparing for the next move, Mehboob Goliwala, who owns a stationery shop just 10 metres away from Modi8217;s, realised he would have to act tactfully if he was to save his fellow businessman from the mob8217;s wrath. At the same time, Ahmedbhai Patel and Mehboobbhai Sheikh of Anucool Hotel, which is also close by, also felt the need to intervene.

8220;I first took Modi8217;s scooter and put it at my house which is behind this lane. I was worried someone might set it on fire,8221; says Goliwala. By this time, the situation was threatening to spin out of control. 8220;I realised I would have to deal with tact. I told the mob that if they created trouble here, police would arrest people from the locality,8221; says Patel. But the mob did not relent.

However, after much persuasion, better sense prevailed and the mob dispersed. Goliwala then escorted Modi out of the area. Modi is grateful to his neighbours. But Patel and Goliwala say they haven8217;t done anything great. 8220;Ours is a quite area. Why should we allow the peace to be shattered?8221; says Patel.

Again on July 27, after a man was stabbed to death near Teen Darwaja area in the afternoon, a mob started collecting in the area. But it was people like Goliwala and Patel who intervened and brought the situation under control.

In another incident, Dinesh Chauhan, who works at Mysore bakery in Raikhad area, knows he might have died, but for his colleague Iqbal Mohammed Malik. On July 27, Chauhan was filling petrol in his loading autorickshaw in Raikhad when two unidentified men came from behind and stabbed him. A profusely bleeding Chauhan ran to Malik8217;s house in the same area. 8220;Luckily, I was at home. I asked for a Maruti van from my employer, and rushed Chauhan to V S Hospital,8221; he says, sitting by Chauhan8217;s hospital bed.