Security heightened on 10th anniversary of Godhra carnage

Security has been stepped up in the city and Godhra town in wake of the 10th anniversary of the Sabarmati express train carnage, which killed 59 people and triggered large-scale communal violence in many parts of Gujarat in 2002 claiming over 1200 lives.

The VHP has organised prayers ceremonies Ahmedabad and in Godhra to remember victims of the train carnage, while the post-Godhra riot victims and family would be gathering to seek justice for the deceased.

Following the events planned by VHP and NGOs to mark the anniversary on Monday, additional police have been deployed in sensitive parts of the city and Godhra, police said.

Meanwhile, the units of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have been ordered to be in alert in case of emergency, they added.

VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia will lead a rally to the S-6 Coach, now kept at the Godhra railway yard and pay homage to those killed in the incident.

Also, as many as 45 NGOs on Monday came together to commence a 10-day event Insaf ki dagar par, that would focus on the 2002 riots and the subsequent pursuit of justice for victims.

Besides, many other peace rallies, sufi sangeet meets, exhibitions, poetry recitation, dialogues with the victims and prayers by different bodies are lined up for the day.

The victims of Gulburg Society at Meghaninagar here where ex-MP Ehsan Jaffery was killed by rioters along with 68 others, will gather at the Society and read out verses from the holy Quran.