Search the Internet          Tips

Relief worker detained ahead of President's visit

Sheela Bhatt in New Delhi

President A P J Abdul Kalam's two-day Gujarat visit beginning Monday has made the Narendra Modi government nervous.

Late on Sunday night, the crime branch of Ahmedabad police detained Sharief Khan, a senior manager of the Shah Alam relief camp which houses over 10,000 victims of the recent communal riots in the state.

Most of the victims in this camp, one of the biggest in Ahmedabad, are residents of the Naroda Patia area of Ahmedabad, where 89 people were burnt alive by a mob during the riots.

Khan was arrested around 11pm. He was told that since he was "exciting crowds" he would have to remain at the Haveli police station till the President's visit to Naroda Patia gets over.

Talking to rediff.com from the Haveli police station Khan said: "I don't understand this government...they won't allow us even to represent our case to the President. Is this democracy?"

Khan said he is being punished because refugees at the Shah Alam camp had shouted anti-government, anti-Narendra Modi slogans when Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh visited them.

Khan was arrested shortly after he visited Naroda Patia to supervise some repair work.

"I have been asked to sit in the police station. They are serving me tea and food but they have not specified my crime," he said.

The Sabarmati in Flames: Complete Coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report