We want answers from Modi: Riot victims

Victims and survivors of the Naroda Patiya and Gulbarg society massacres have said that chief minister Narendra Modi should come forward to give his statement before the Special Investigating Team (SIT).

On Monday afternoon, the victims of both the riot incidents gathered in the office of  Prashant, a human rights organisation, and raised their voices against Modi before media persons. Most of the survivors dared Modi to appear before the SIT to explain his role in 2002 riots.

Rupa Mody, who lost her minor son Dara in the Gulbarg incident, was also present. She said, "We have been struggling for justice for eight years, but what is preventing Modi from coming before the SIT, especially when he claims that he is doing much for people of Gujarat."

She said, "The SIT threatens us to issue warrants if we do not turn up before it. Similarly, the SIT should threaten Modi with warrants as he has not appeared before it.''

Another woman victim, Sayara Sandhi, said Modi should be straight forward in coming before the SIT. "We are fighting for justice for eight years. Why Modi is fearing to appear before the SIT for an hour only?" said Sandhi, who lost four members of her family, including 24-year-old son.

Another victim of Gulbarg, Imtiyaz Khan said, "Modi comes out with a statement whenever there is an encounter, but why is avoiding to give a statement before the SIT? Naroda Patiya victim, Dildar Saiyad, said: "If Modi has done nothing wrong, why he is avoiding SIT?"