MINORITIES - 2002 - Indian Social Institute

efuge in a shrine but the crowds followed him there and set him afire. I identified his belongings in the
ashes but the police refused to make a panchnama," said ShaheenMohd. Hussain. To date she has not
received any compensation. (Hindustan Times 16.6.02)
17 th June
Cornered Modi gets a clean chit from Advani (7)
AHMEDABAD, JUNE 16: UNION Home Minister L.K. Advani today expressed satisfaction over the
rehabilitation of riot-affected victims in Gujarat, thus giving a clean chit to Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
As reported in The Indian Express, the Prime Minister's Office had recently written to the Gujarat Chief
Minister and expressed anguish over the progress of the rehabilitation process in the state. Talking to
mediapersons here, Advani said: "Gujarat has gone through a bad phase but I have some satisfaction as
there have been no reports of violence here for the past four weeks.' He said he was also satisfied with
the state's efforts as many riot victims were now returning to their homes. He said:'At one time in the state,
there were over 1.5 lakh riot victims in 121 camps. But with no untoward incident taking place, people
have returned to their homes. And now, in 19 camps, there are just 18,500 people." In the last week
alone, over 12,000 people had gone home, he said. The administration was taking measures for
rehabilitation of these victims, "and I am satisfied with their efforts", he said. (Indian Exp 17.6.02)
18 th June
More relief camps ordered closed (7)
Ahmedabad: Even as the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi claimed satisfactory progress in the relief
and rehabilitation of the riot victims in the state, the Muslim victims have taken to the agitational path to
highlight the Government’s broken promises and their unfulfilled demands. About 500 such victims
observed a day's token fast and ,staged a 'dharna' in front of the Sardar Baug in the heart of the city under
the auspices of the Qaumi Relief Committee to protest the "tardy" implementation of the Chief Minister's
assurances. But even before the dharna was over, the victims suffered yet another jolt with reports that
the Government had decided to close down at least eight more relief camps in Ahmedabad Though
there was no official notification, the committee's general secretary, Shaukatkhan Tyrewala, claimed
that they had been informed by the Collectorate that essential supplies to eight more camps would be
suspended forthwith on instructions from Gandinagar. (Hindu 18.6.02)
19 th June
VHP 'reconverts' Christians in Onssa (7)
BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 18. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has reconverted over 5,000 tribal
Christians to Hinduism, in the Sundargarh district during the past two years. The VHP's local unit
conducted a ceremony after the converted Christians file affidavits expressing their willingness to
reconvert, either before the court or the notary. On June 16, about 143 tribals belonging to 46 families of
Oram, Munda and Khadia tribes were reconverted at a special function organised by the Rour-kela unit of
the VHP at Tainser village under Lathikata block. According to the local VHP organising secretary,
Achyutanand Kar, these tribals had filed affidavits a fortnight ago. Their case was communicated to the
district authority before the ceremony was organised. Mr. Kar alleged that Christian missionaries had
induced not only tribals but also others in the district to convert to Christianity. Sundargarh alone had as
many as 1,100 churches spread over almost all the villages, he added. (Hindu 19.6.02)
19th June
Three killed in violence (7)
Jalgaon, June 18: Three persons including a five month old boy were killed and 150 shops, houses and
vehicles set on fire in communal violence today at Jamner town in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra. While
the boy and Ramesh Mali (45) were stabbed to death, Yusuf, a resident of Ahmedabad was killed in police
firing, sources said. Police fired eight rounds to disperse clashing mobs and curfew has been imposed in
the town. (Hindu 19.6.02)
19 th June
44 Godhra accused declared 'offenders' (7)