Barricaded at home: Turkman Gate residents say they feel like caged animals after violence

Barricaded inside their homes, cut off from routine life and watched over by security personnel at every turn, residents of the Turkman Gate area on Wednesday said they felt like “caged animals,” punished for violence they insist they neither supported nor took part in.

At least five police personnel were injured after some people allegedly pelted stones and glass bottles at the police during the demolition drive carried out during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday on the land adjoining the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque.

Ever since barricades were erected across the narrow lanes, families said they had been unable to step out even for basic needs.

“We are being treated like criminals for no fault of ours,” said Sayed Khan, a local resident.  “The barricades were put up even before the violence happened. Since then, we have been confined inside, not knowing how long this will go on,” he rued.

Khan said the restrictions had made daily life extremely difficult in an area already short on basic amenities. “Many homes here do not get water directly and depend on a supply from outside. Some houses do not even have proper washrooms,” he said.

“We are somehow adjusting for today, but if this extends, we do not know how people will manage.”

Parents said children were among the worst affected. “My children keep asking why they cannot go to school or even play outside,” another resident said.

“They do not understand riots or religious issues. They have Hindu friends as well. These restrictions are forcing them to learn about things they should not be exposed to at this age,” he added.

Medical emergencies, residents said, had turned into ordeals. “My mother is sick,” a woman said, adding, “I had to seek permission since morning just to take her out. Every movement feels controlled.”

Several locals also alleged rough behaviour by some security personnel. “We tried sending our children to buy groceries, but they were not allowed,” a man said. “My child came back on the verge of tears, saying an officer spoke rudely to him. How do you explain this to a child?” he added.