Normalcy returned in Doranda on Wednesday after four days’ of tension, though people living in the affected areas seemed to be skeptical looking each other with suspicion.
Tension prevailed in Gaus Nagar, Manitola, Pokhartoli areas of Doranda following two groups came against each other shouting slogans, which also gutted an auto-rickshaw into fire on Monday. The clash, however, was averted when the police intervened on time.
“Situation is completely under control in Doranda, as we have alerted the forces deployed in the area to be more vigilant. They have also been directed to do a thorough body search if anybody appears to be suspicious,” said Hatia ASP Prashant Anand. Few arrests have also been made from the area during searching on Wednesday, added Anand.
The Hatia ASP also appealed people not to give substance to rumours. He also warned that anybody found spreading rumours through any medium, will be strictly dealt.
“There is no need to panic as administration is fully prepared to deal with any kind of exigency and the police force deputed in the area has also been alerted.
Residents of the affected areas, on the other hand, irrespective of caste and religion, are on defensive as none of the groups want to indulge themselves into trouble.
“We pray to god that whatever is happening, should not be continued any further and must be put to an end immediately as it not going to benefit any of us,” said a resident of Gaus Nagar Izhar Ansari. No one in this locality, whether a Hindu or a Muslim, intends to do any harm to each other as they are living here peacefully together for years but it appears that some people coming from outside are trying to disturb the area with ulterior motives, added Ansari.
Even after peace was restored in the area, residents of Doranda were skeptical about each other spending sleepless nights in their homes.
“Although, peace has returned, everyone here is living in a defensive mode looking each other with suspicion,” said Sukhram Tirkey of Pokhar Toli.
Meanwhile, peace committee meeting among intellectuals of Mani Tola, Pokhar Toli, Saket Nagar and Gaus Nagar was also organized in Doranda appealing each other to restore peace in the area so that life could again be put to work.
As life returned on track, shops and other business establishments remained open even in the worst affected areas like Gaus Nagar and Mani Tola on Wednesday.
“These disturbances have put me in heavy debt as I could not do business for the last three days. I even had to throw away some edibles which I was supposed to sell in the market,” said a local vendor Bajrang Verma, who earns a living by selling ‘chat’ moving across Gaus Nagar, Mani Tola and Saket Nagar and makes an earning of Rs 500-700 per day.