Feeling unsafe, Muslim families flee Randhikpur after Bilkis Bano convicts are freed
On Monday, loaded tempo rickshaws were seen bringing in residents of Randhikpur into the Rahi-mabad Relief Colony. These families have decided to stay until “a decision is made” regarding the release of the convicts in Bilkis Bano case. (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)
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A week after the Gujarat government released 11 convicts serving life sentence in the Bilkis Bano case, several Muslim families from Randhikpur (Singwad) have started leaving their homes and have taken shelter in Rahi-mabad Relief Colony of Devgarh Baria taluka in Dahod district, where Bilkis has been living since 2017. (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)
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Muslim families are leaving their homes in Randhikpur (Singwad) to take shelter in Rahi-mabad Relief Colony of Devgarh Baria taluka in Dahod district, a week after the Gujarat government released 11 convicts serving life sentence in the Bilkis Bano case. (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)
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On Monday, loaded tempo rickshaws were seen bringing in residents of Randhikpur into the Rahi-mabad Relief Colony. These families have decided to stay until “a decision is made” regarding the release of the convicts in Bilkis Bano case. (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)
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Bilkis Bano was gang-raped in Randhikpur village during the communal violence that followed the Godhra train-burning incident in 2002. She was 21-years-old then and five months pregnant. Seven other members of her family were killed in the riot. (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)
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One of the community members, Sultana, 24, who arrived at the relief colony with her mother and sister on Sunday said "there is fear among the community". She said that despite not having any direct threat, the welcome and the jubilation the convicts received in the village made them feel unsafe. (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)
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Another villager Sabera Patel-Ghanchi said, "“I have a daughter and four grand daughters. If they have been released, what is the guarantee that they won’t be emboldened to repeat the crimes? We do not have any security." (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)
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Recalling when the accused were awarded life imprisonment by the Central Bureau of Investigation court in 2008, Abdul Razzak, another resident of Randhikpur village, said, "But now, as the convicts are released, they are shattered... No one wants to go through the horror if a riot breaks out." (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)
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However, Sub-inspector of Randhikpur police D G Vohania claimed the police were not aware of Muslim families leaving the village due to threat apprehensions. "The village has been calm and going about its usual business," he said. (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)
