MINORITIES - 2002 - Indian Social Institute

Ahmedabad and Baroda despite the violence," he said. (Asian Age 19.3.02)
19 th March
Baroda police puts post Godhra death toll at 37 (7)
Baroda, March 18: The Baroda police on Monday furnished statistics of deaths which took place in Baroda
during the communal riots following the Sabar-mati Express incident at Godhra. Baroda commissioner of
police D.D. Tuteja said a total 37 persons were killed in the riots. The maximum number of people were
burnt alive according to Mr Tuteja. He said: "A total of 17 persons were burnt alive by the mob, including
two who died on Sunday in the Makarpura incident, while total 10 died of stabbing injuries. Seven persons
died in firing out of which six were killed in police firing in different areas and one died in a private firing.
One also died due to stone pelting injuries. (Asian Age 19.3.02)
19 th March
Christians criticize RSS resolution (7)
New Delhi, March 18: Strongly criticising the resolution adopted at the end of the three-day session of the
RSS supreme body, Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, at Bangalore on Sunday, Christian leaders today
demanded that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee condemn it immediately. They said the resolution has
the "seeds of great future tragedy". The' RSS resolution had said the minority community should
"understand that their real safety lies1 to the goodwill of the majority they are safe, provided they win the
goodwill of the majority community. The Muslims should respect the sentiments of the majority community
and cooperate with it". The resolution also reflected chief minister Narendra Modi's controversial allusion
to Newton's third law — there is an equal and opposite reaction to every action— to justify the Gujarat
riots. (Telegraph 19.3.02)
20th March
Four fall prey to fresh violence (7)
AHMEDABAD: At least four persons were killed in fresh communal violence in Bharuch and Modasa
towns of Gujarat on Tuesday. Rioting and the subsequent police firing in the A' division police station area
of Bharuch left two persons dead and five injured. Trouble began when mobs gathered at the Dandia
Bazar and other old city areas and indulged in rioting around 1.30 p.m. The police opened fire to disperse
the mob. "Four persons were killed and five injured in the incident. Curfew has been imposed in the 'A'
division police station area," Bharuch collector Anju Sharma said. Bharuch 'B' division police station area
is already under curfew. (Times of India 20.3.02)
20 th March
Violence persists in Gujarat (7)
Ahmedabad: At least four persons were killed in police firing and stabbing in the communally-sensitive
Broach and Modasa towns today as violence continued to rock several parts of Gujarat. An indefinite
curfew has been clamped on both Broach and Modasa following the violence which,also forced the
authorities to postpone the on-going secondary and higher secondary examinations in these towns in
addition to Ahmedabad and' Baroda where they were postponed earlier in view of the disturbed conditions.
Two persons were killed when police opened fire to disperse two clashing groups in Broach town following
rumours of large-scale stabbing. Curfew/which was in force only in the areas under 'B' Division police
station for the last three days, was extended to the entire town for an indefinite period following today's
incident. (Hindu 20.3.02)
20 th March
Relief sought for Gujarat victims (7)
CHENNAI, MARCH 19. The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has met the Prime Minister, Atal
Behari Vajpayee, and impressed upon him the need to provide early compensation and relief to Gujarat
victims. The Commission vice-chairman, Tarlochan Singh, said the NCM told Mr. Vajpayee recently that
there were 90,000 victims in relief camps. It sought the Prime Minister's intervention for offering financial
relief to the victims whose business houses were destroyed in. the riots. It also sought the RBI's
assistance to soften the load of interest and repayment on the trading community and for extending soft
loans to re-establish themselves. A similar relief exercise was offered during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.