The Hindu : Victims seek help to begin life afresh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2002

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Victims seek help to begin life afresh

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI APRIL 29. ``We have nowhere to go. We fear for our lives as there is no guarantee of our security. It is not possible to remain in the relief camps for a long time, please help us survive,'' pleaded the riot-hit families of Gujarat as they met the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, at her residence here this evening.

Around 21 families from various parts of Gujarat called on the Chief Minister to narrate the horrifying tales of ruthless and senseless killings by religious zealots during the last two months of riots in the State. Some wept and cried others with tears rolling down their eyes sought help from the Chief Minister to ensure their proper rehabilitation which they felt was not possible under the present regime. The victims spent around one hour with her and sought relief in order to begin life afresh.

As one after the other these families divulged the gory details of the traumatic experience during the past two months, the message was very clear -- the administration had failed in Gujarat not only in putting an end to the senseless violence but also in its duty to provide proper and adequate relief and rehabilitation to the riot victims.

There were also tales of discrimination in relief and rehabilitation on the basis of caste and religion. Most victims said they were keen on rehabilitation on the basis of the one carried out in the aftermath of the Gujarat earthquake but feared that nothing was possible with the Narendra Modi Government.

Terming the tale of woes as horrifying and mind-boggling, the Chief Minister said it was unfortunate that even after two months of riots breaking out, the Modi Government had failed to put an end to the violence. She said Mr. Modi had no moral right to continue in office as he had failed in his Constitutional duty to protect the lives and properties of the citizens of the State.

Ms. Dikshit informed that she would be leaving for a two-day trip to Gujarat to get a first hand view of the situation. During her stay, she would be participating in a peace march on May 1.

The Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, is expected to reach Ahmedabad the same day to take part in the march.

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