In grief, Jaipur stands united

JAIPUR, MAY 14 : The Pink City turned into a fortress on Wednesday, guarded by cops standing on every stretch of road. The usually bustling streets of Jaipur’s Walled City — Johri Bazaar, Manak Chowk, Chandpol, Badi Chaupar, Choti Chaupar and Tripolia Bazaar — wore a deserted look after a nine-hour curfew was clamped on the area where eight blasts took place on Tuesday.

Only the press, police and VVIP vehicles were seen taking rounds of the blast spots, hospitals and police stations. The only other activity on the streets was in and around the cremation grounds and graveyards, where grim processions of mourners took bodies of their deceased ones.

Yet, for a city thrown into chaos and fear, Jaipur remained remarkably calm, even though this attack was the first of its kind to ever hit the city, with not a single incident of rioting or disturbance reported from any part of the Rajasthan capital.

“The city will get back to normal eventually, but we want the persons behind this to be arrested soon,” said Abdul, a resident. IG Pankaj Kumar Singh said the situation was under control everywhere and the city peaceful.

Even though the Walled City area is home to both Muslim and Hindu communities, there were no signs of communal tension; Hindus and Muslims helped each other at hospitals, they attended each other’s funerals. “We attended the cremation of Sachin Dangaiah’s two daughters. Not to show pity, but to show solidarity and that we will not lose our hearts,” said Mohammad Haneef, a local.

Meanwhile, police sent messages to all traders’ associations informing them that curfew timings were till 6 p.m. and that their motive was not to house arrest them. The six main spots where the blasts took place are of great commercial importance — Tripolia Gate is famous for its bangle shops; tourists throng to Manak Chowk to visit its showrooms of clothing, shoes and antiques; Johri Bazaar is a hub for jewel traders; Chandpol is home to the usually crowded Hanuman temple and Sanghmeri Gate leads out to the central park which has many food outlets. This whole 5-sq km area usually sees a crowd of around 5 to 7 lakh people on a weekday and up to 10 lakh on weekend. But on Wednesday it was silent.

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