Naroda Patiya: Muslims get taunts, call in cops after flare-up

Hours after the 2002 Naroda Patiya massacre case convicts were handed sentences, tension erupted in the area Friday night when family of an accused who was acquitted entered into heated arguments with local Muslims.

Ratilal Rathod alias Bhawani Singh, one of the accused in the case, had died in 2006 under mysterious circumstances. His wife, also an accused, was acquitted by the special court a few days ago.

On Friday night, the families of those who were convicted gathered outside Bhawani's home and shouted slogans, accusing them of inciting members of the Chhara community to join the rioters. A scuffle broke out and some of them even beat up each other. Sensing trouble, Muslim residents alerted the neighbouring Naroda Patiya police chowky.

In the meantime, Bhawani's daughters turned on the Muslims, allegedly hurling abuses on them for giving their names to police after the 2002 massacre.

"First, the Chharas fought among themselves and when they found no solution, they turned on us who were just standing by, watching their fight. Bhawani's family hurled abuses and even spat on a Muslim woman in the crowd," said Nazir Pathan, a local.

The Naroda police confirmed there was trouble in the area for an hour. They, however, said the policemen on duty there dispersed the crowd immediately.

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