New Delhi: Even as the death toll in the Northeast Delhi communal riots climbed to 43, some of the localities affected have begun to show flickers of normalcy.
In areas like Brijpuri, Bhajanpura, Mustafabad, Chand Bagh, Maujpur and Johripur, which were among the worst-hit on the first two days of the riots, shops selling essential items like pharmacies and grocery stores opened Friday, municipalities cleared the roads to allow the movement of public transport, and authorities even deployed water sprinklers to tackle the dust and soot deposited on the streets.
Small shops like stationery stores, bakeries, confectionaries and meat shops were also opened in these localities, but only in narrow lanes like the 20-foot road in Chand Bagh and the 25-foot road in Mustafabad.
Under heavy police and paramilitary presence, people were able to offer Friday namaz peacefully, after which shops were opened.
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Long queues for medicines, children back at tuitions
Chand Bagh Market Association president Tarik Hassan told ThePrint: “We have had to open shops and godowns today, as essential supplies in most houses have completely dried out, and we cannot deliver personally to everyone due to growing demand.”
Hassan added: “Most of the stock was either destroyed or has been sold out, and we have to replenish it, so there was no option but to open up shops and godowns.”
Residents formed long queues outside medical stores and private clinics in particular, seeking to refill their prescriptions or purchase essentials like asthma inhalers.
Raees-ul-Islam Siddiqui, owner of the Siddiqui Medical Store in Chand Bagh, told ThePrint: “We were the last to close the shop in this area, and the first to open it. Flickers of normalcy can be seen on the streets, as people have come out for shopping, and some are even commuting to their workplaces.”
Dr Chand Alam, who runs a clinic in Mustafabad, was busy handling a large number of patients. “I had to informally visit my regular patients at home until now as they were not able to reach me, especially with the lack of ambulance services in the area,” he said. “Most of my medical supplies, including basic syringes and ointments, have run out.”
Children have begun going for private tuitions again — albeit with their worried-looking parents giving them company — because school exams are scheduled to begin in a few weeks.
Tuition teacher Sana, though, had a different worry. “Handling children will be more problematic now as they are curious and will ask more questions related to the riots, which even we find difficult to comprehend,” she said.
Daily-wage labourers and street vendors also seemed to heave a sigh of relief as markets opened up and public transport resumed.
Mahendra, who lives in Brijpuri and sells fruits in Johripur, said: “My cart, including the money stash, was looted Monday, and I was left with just Rs 200 to fend for myself and my family. My neighbours helped me survive as they provided me with food and milk for my small children.”
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Other areas still deserted
However, this is not the scene in every locality affected by the riots. In Shiv Vihar, there were reports of stone-pelting until late Thursday, while Brahmapuri, Subhash Mohalla and Kabir Nagar wore deserted looks.
Groups of Sikh men were volunteering on the streets in these areas to provide residents with daily supplies, but they found very few takers.
A large number of police and paramilitary personnel continued to be deployed in these areas.
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MODIJI IS MAKING BHARAT KNOWN FAR AND WIDE BY HIS RIOTS 2002 GODHRA now 2020 DILLI RIOTS HE SEEMS TO BE UNHAPPY HE WANTED THE TOLL BE AROUND 40000 double of the llast one he overseeen .GOOD LUCK FEKO