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9. Replica of Godhra Carnage Mob of 1000 Surrounds LIC
Building in Modasa,
Gujarat Samachar, 21
March, 2002
The communal riots in Sabarkantha started after Godhra
Carnage, were stopped. Peace was restored after 20 days. Exams of
standard 10 and 12 were being conducted peacefully through out the state
except in Ahmedabad and Vadodara. On 2nd day of exam, that is
on Tuesday, after the 10th Mathematics paper was over, after
one community’s children reached their homes, the mob of one community
surrounded the LIC building at Modasa shouting “Maro, Kato” and started
setting the building on fire. One car and several two-wheelers were
burnt.
Like a replica of Godhra, a mob of about 1000 strong men
belonging to one community surrounded the
LIC Building at 1-45
p.m. At that time, people from surrounding villages who had come to pay
premiums were present there, along with officers and staff of LIC on the
first floor. Stones were thrown, slogans “Maro, Kato” were shouted. The
staff saw that a big mob with swords and torches were ready to attack
the building. All doors and windows were closed due to stone throwing.
Mr. Maheshbhai Bhatt, development officer of LIC used his
presence of mind and immediately telephone the police and Mamlatdar, to
save them. Within half an hour the police reached there, the mob ran
away and police resolved about 100 people from the building. Maheshbhai
said that if police had not listened and come on time, this would have
been a bigger carnage than Godhra. The police of Modasa deserves
compliments for their prompt action and their presence of mind.
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