The Hindu : National : `Black day' observed in Malegaon

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Saturday, Sep 16, 2006
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`Black day' observed in Malegaon

Special Correspondent

Both Hindus and Muslims wore black ribbons in protest

PHOTO: PTI

HEAVY DEPLOYMENT: Security personnel in large numbers guard a road in Malegaon during Friday prayers. Three blasts were triggered by the suspected terrorists a week ago in the town.

MUMBAI: Malegaon observed Yaum-e-Siyah or `black day' on Friday, to protest against the four bomb blasts that claimed 31 lives and injured over 100 — mostly those participating in Friday namaz. The power loom town remained peaceful.

Over 30,000 people offered the Friday namaz at Bada Kabristan (graveyard), the scene of three bomb blasts. The congregation was much larger than usual and comprised a large number of children.

According to Maulana Abdul Queum Kasuri, clerics recited peace messages in the town's 200 mosques.

"They sought Allah's blessings for the dead and speedy recovery of the injured," he told The Hindu on phone.

The worshippers at the Kabristan mosque came without their bags and bicycles. It is suspected that the attackers had planted bombs in the carrier racks of new bicycles and later placed them among the worshippers' cycles.

Maintaining tight vigil, the police did not allow vendors to set up food stalls for worshippers en route to the Kabristan.

The Superintendent of Police (Nashik Rural), Rajwardhan, said all prayers passed off peacefully. Janata Dal (Secular) leader Nihal Ahmed gave the call to observe September 15, the first Friday after the terrorist attack, as Yaum-e-Siyah.

Both Hindus and Muslims wore black ribbons and hoisted black flags atop their houses.

"A mountain of misery has crashed on Malegaon and we, both Muslims and Hindus, are sharing the grief," a local resident, Aziz Aijaj, said.

Former Prime Minister Deve Gowda visited the blast sites in Malegaon and consoled the families of the dead.

After visiting the injured in hospitals, Mr. Gowda said no local person from either community was involved in the attack.

Dr. Syed Ahmed Farani, a general surgeon who worked round-the-clock to operate upon the wounded, said of over the 100 persons injured in the blasts, 63 were admitted to his hospital.

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