Fear,mistrust still run high

She is not alone. The fear and the need to flee their homes occupies the thoughts of many of the families living here,despite the rapid improvement in infrastructure facilities in the area,including the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS),swanky malls and commercial complexes.

“Anticipating trouble,a few families have already left,” says Zeburnissa Nagori,who lives in a one-room accommodation with her teenaged daughter. Many are planning to take refuge with friends and relatives.

But some like Sheikh,whose husband was among those killed in Naroda Patiya,have nowhere to go. “I will continue to stay here as long as I live,” she says.

Nazirkhan Pathan,who escaped the rioting mob by hiding inside a water tank,is in charge of the administration of the Iqra primary school in the area. “Currently,there are about 120 students studying here. Only 10 are from Hindu families,” he says.

“There are no Muslim localities nearby,so whenever tensions run high,the families living here start thinking of escape routes,” says Maulana Sheikh Masood Alfaizani,the Imam of the local mosque.

But Jayprakash Gavender,who runs the Amber Cotton Threads in partnership with three Muslims in Jawahar Nagar,says,“I feel completely safe coming to this part of the city.”