Bihar’s ‘guardian angel,’ who saved many people of the minority community when they were attacked at Azizpur in Muzaffarpur district on January 18, hoisted the national flag at the State Congress headquarters here on Republic Day.
After learning about Shail Devi’s story of courage, the party decided to invite her to hoist the flag, PCC president Ashok Chaudhury told The Hindu . The party also gave her Rs. 50,000 and a certificate.
“I’m honoured by this gesture,” she said. Shail Devi, widow of a construction labourer and mother of two school-going daughters, has become a household name in Bihar. But she fears for her family’s safety.
“Though the police have assured me that nothing will happen to me and my daughters, who knows what will happen tomorrow?”
Hundreds of people from neighbouring Bahilwara village attacked Azizpur after the body of a youth from their village was found on a farmland near the Azizpur mosque. Shail Devi sheltered more than a dozen villagers in her house.
Four persons were killed, several injured and scores of houses and vehicles were torched. The police arrested 14 and registered cases against 2,000.
