In Ahmedabad, road-blocks serve as LoC

AHMEDABAD, AUG 6: Although peace has returned to the city, road-blocks put up at Shah Alam toll naka in the wake of the killing of a pass...

AHMEDABAD, AUG 6: Although peace has returned to the city, road-blocks put up at Shah Alam toll naka in the wake of the killing of a passerby near Shalimar cinema on July 28 still serve as a dubious line of control8217; between areas dominated by Hindus and Muslims.

Similar blockades have been raised at the other end of the area at Chandola Lake and at Meera Talkies crossroads which leads to Milatnagar slums, giving the impression that the area is under siege. The blockades seem to have been placed for the dual purpose of providing security to the residents as well as checking entry and exit of undesirable elements.

But local councillor Badruddin Shaikh has a different story to tell. He had approached the police for removal of the barriers, quot;but the police wanted us to take responsibility for any violence that might take place in the futurequot;, he said.

Residents point out that no road-blocks had been raised in other areas which witnessed clashes, many more stabbings and were as tense or peaceful as Shah Alam. Nor had the authorities sought such assurances from people elsewhere. The residents also say that the local people themselves had handed over to the police the main accused involved in the stabbing.

But Deputy Commissioner Zone VI of Police M D Antani said the barriers would not be removed until the curfew was entirely lifted from the city. While day curfew has been lifted, night curfew is still in force and no one can say how long it will continue.

Antani claimed that the blockades were not causing any hardship to the people and residents were allowed to move around in the area without any harassment. But residents point out that the barricades give the look as if the situation is still not normal in the area.

Besides, buses cannot enter the area. Therefore, workers going to factories in Narol area have to walk a kilometre before they can get a bus. Similarly, those going to the city have to walk a long distance. Recently, angry people stoned Shaikh8217;s house for his failure to get the blockades removed. Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service authorities said they were waiting for a go-ahead from the police to resume services in the area.