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20 Muslims burnt alive in Ahmedabad in W. India, toll crosses 80
28-02-2002
New Delhi, IRNA -- At least 20 people including children
belonging to Muslim community were feared killed on Thursday when
their dwellings were set on fire by Hindu mobs in Ahmedabad in western
Indian state of Gujarat taking the toll to 80.
Police sources said 17 bodies have been recovered so far and more
were still trapped inside the buildings in a housing society in
Chamanpura area of Ahmedabad, said media reports.
Among the dead was a former Congress member of Parliament, Ehsan
Jaffari, the sources said.
Indian Army has been asked to stand by in the disturbed areas of
western Indian state of Gujarat to assist the paramilitary forces in
the wake of large-scale organized violence in the state. This was
decided at a meeting of India's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
this evening presided over by the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
Home Minister L.K. Advani told reporters.
India's Defense Minister George Fernandes is proceeding to
Ahmedabad in Gujarat on Friday (tomorrow).
Advani said he would be making a statement on the issue in
Parliament tomorrow. 11 companies of paramilitary forces would be
there to assist the Gujarat government, he said.
Earlier, Gujarat Chief Minister Narender Modi told a crowded press
conference in Ahmedabad today that "at least 20 people have been
killed including two in police firing in Nadiad and Godhra," said
media reports.
Modi said 700 arrests have been made throughout the state
including 80 in Godhra, where the train was set ablaze killing 58
people.
As Gujarat observed a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council)
strike. Two people were killed in Vadodara in Gujarat and the Islamic
Center was set ablaze by the mob. In Gandhinagar, the Muslim Walf
Board office building was also set ablaze by the unruly mob. Five
people including a woman were killed in Ahmedabad, police said.
Condemning the attack by VHP activists in Godhra, he said, "fifty
million people have become aggressive and there was reaction today."
KK/AR
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