Shadow of fear in the streets of northeast Delhi

Divya Prabhakar in New Delhi

The lanes of Chand Bagh, Khajuri Khas and Bhajanpura are filled with stories of fear, uncertainty and challenges for the victims of the violence. “Violence? Madness,” a longtime resident repeats himself, “don’t forget to write that.”

It’s been days since Bhajanpura resident Asha and her family have slept at their home. “Clashes might erupt anytime. I go to my relative’s place and come here to check my house in the morning,” she says. Praveen Sharma, a school teacher, has not gone to work since the riots broke out. “I am scared for my family and kids.”

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The lone petrol pump in the area was set afire. Mahendra Pal, an employee, recalls how he ran for his life. “It was a mad mob. I jumped off the wall to save myself.” Pallavi, another Bhajanpura resident, says her children have not had milk for days now. “This was the only petrol pump near my house. Life has taken a turn no one expected. We all are sailing in the same boat.”

In Chand Bagh and Khajuri Khas, too, the residents are shocked and scared. “I have put up my fruit stall after five days,” says a vendor, trying to act brave, but the distress is clearly visible.

“This was the result of CAA. We never thought life will show us such days. This has always been a peaceful area,” points out Mohammad Imtiaz, a resident of Chand Bagh, as neighbours stress how the temple in the area was protected by the Muslims.

The Delhi government, meanwhile, has initiated relief and rehabilitation efforts. Peace committees are being constituted at the mohalla level and 18 SDMs have been appointed to reach out.

The Finance Department has been advised to convene a meeting of heads of insurance companies to organise special camps. The Delhi Financial Corporation has been roped in to provide subsidised loans to small businessmen who have lost their livelihood. However, residents are still waiting to meet their local representatives. “No political leader has visited us. There should be proper mechanism for rehabilitation,” says a victim.

Besides NGOs, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has been organising relief camps, ‘langars’ and medicines — a sign of hope that though Delhi may have lost much during the past week, its composite fabric remains intact.