GANJ BASODA, JANUARY 15: VHP and BJP leaders have been named in the FIRs registered in connection with the cases of arson and looting that took place here yesterday following the arrest of a butcher on charges of alleged cow slaughter.

Several of the victims have alleged that the mobs, that looted and set fire to their shops, were led and instigated by VHP and Bajrang Dal members. VHP leaders, in turn, have blamed the administration for mishandling the situation.

Meanwhile, violence on in Gomtipur, Godhra calm Ahmedabad: Several group clashes broke out in Ashoknagar locality in the sensitive Gomtipur area of the city where mobs indulged in heavy stone-pelting on Wednesday, police said. Trouble was also reported from Navsari last night over kite-flying. District Superintendent A.K. Jadeja said six persons from both communities were arrested in last night’s incident for indulging in heavy stone-pelting. The situation in Godhra town was reported to be peaceful today even as police maintained strict vigil, Panchamahals SP Narsimha Komar said. ‘‘Additional mobile vans will carry out intensive patrolling in the town to avert any communal mishap,’’ he added. — ENS

The incident that triggered the rioting took place in the predominantly Muslim area of Churi Mohallah where Salim, a butcher, lived. Salim’s landlord Mahesh Soni said he had complained several times to the district administration about the slaughter of cows by Salim and had also contacted VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders. He also admitted that there had been an ongoing dispute between him and Salim over the payment of rent.

Sunil Yadav, jila mahamantri of the VHP who has been named in one of the FIRs, said he and Nilesh Aggarwal, jila adhyaksh of the Bajrang Dal, had been tipped off the night before the incident.

Yadav said, ‘‘I had been telling the administration about the slaughter of cows for the past six months and had also informed the local CID. On Tuesday, by the time the cops got here, Salim had left and a huge mob had gathered.’’

According to SDOP D.R. Tamarkar, as soon as Yadav informed him of the incident, he reached the spot and found a mob gathered there. ‘‘My first job was to get the family out safely as they were in grave danger. Then I had to move the evidence from the house quickly but I had no vehicle. So we took it away on a handcart with the help of VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders who were present there.’’

According to Tamarkar, isolated incidents of looting and arson had already started by the time he started moving the family to safety. ‘‘From 10 am to 3 pm, mobs freely looted and burned shops, vehicles, restaurants and businesses owned by Muslims.’’

One of the victims, Naseer Khan who also lives in Churi Mohallah and who had set up a steel utensils stall at the annual mela which was on in the town, said: ‘‘Shortly after noon, I saw a mob rushing to my shop. Among the crowd were BJP leader Deven Verma and Sunil Yadav’s brother. After my shop was looted, they set it on fire.’’

Yadav said, ‘‘I was getting the cow slaughter case registered with the police and I was at the police station till late in the afternoon. But people always target the VHP, so it is only natural for them to blame me and my family for the violence.’’

Other Muslim victims have similarly named Verma and Yadav in their FIRs. All of them are convinced that the violence was orchestrated. According to Iftikar Ahmed, ‘‘There has never been any communal tension in this town, not even in 1992 when riots broke out in Bhopal. What happened today was planned and executed by the VHP and Bajrang Dal and our establishments were selectively targeted.’’