What was a peaceful demonstration by residents of the Hanuman pura no khado in Juna Vadaj on Saturday against a woman bootlegger of the area.
What was a peaceful demonstration by residents of the Hanuman pura no khado in Juna Vadaj on Saturday against a woman bootlegger of the area, turned violent after a confrontation between police and the residents and police lobbed four tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Around 18 people were arrested till late on Saturday.
According to police, a 500-strong mob had gathered at the area to protest against a woman bootlegger, Savitaben Selat, who carried out her business in the area. She was earlier even arrested against complaints. However, she later filed a cross complaint against four people and when police arrived at the area to arrest the four, the residents of the area protested the police action.
Residents slept on the roads and blocked vehicular traffic in the area. Residents also told DNA that they reacted only when the Naranpura police attacked them. While many residents of the area have fled to their relatives' place elsewhere, the remaining ones continue to live in fear.
Baluben Mackwana, a resident of Vadaj says, "For the last four days, nobody has even lit a stove in the area. We have been feeding on biscuits for fear of being threatened by bootleggers or police. Girls used to be eve-teased in the area which made us protest against these activities. We are not receiving support from the police and the continuous threat from Savita's men of beating us is looming large above us."
Another resident Badal Parmar says, "I have two siblings and they work in a call centre. They come home at around midnight and we are always scared for their safety. Savita's men move in groups of 20-25 men carrying swords. We have repeatedly filed complaints in the Naranpura police station but they are also hand-in-glove in this. We have even contacted the ST/SC cell but at the end of it, the case is bound to come back to the Naranpura police and if they continue to investigate the case, then we are certain that we will never get the justice we deserve. We do not trust the Naranpura police. Our safety is still very doubtful."
Sources claim that 42 cases have been filed against Savitaben, including murder, prohibition and an assault case. If investigations are not effectively done, the safety of Vadaj residents will become doubtful.
Praising the valour shown by the women of the area, Manali Shah of SEWA, who is assisting the residents, said, "These women and children have shown courage in protesting against the activities of the bootlegger. They should be supported and their security should be tightened. The fear with which they are living should be removed. They deserve to live peacefully."
Naranpura in-charge PI, Kumbhar Wadia told DNA, "The area is peaceful today and the media should not be misguiding the public."
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