Gujarat riots: Gulberg massacre witness gives testimony
Imtiaz Saeed Khan Pathan, who was one of the witnesses of the Gulberg society massacre, gave his testimony to the fast track court. In his 27 page deposition, Pathan identified 21 of the accused, pointing out the crimes that they had committed.
THE MASSACRE at the Gulberg society was a black day in the history of Gujrat. The court case delving into the matter, began in the designated fast track court of Judge BU Joshi in Ahmedabad. An eyewitness in the case has told the court that he saw Congress leader Ehsan Jafri, who had perished in the rioting, allegedly call the Gujarat CM for help and was reportedly abused by the latter.
The witness had gone to Jafri to ask for help. Identified as Imtiaz Saeed Khan Pathan, he was one of the Muslims of the locality, who had taken shelter at Jafri’s residence during the riots. Pathan, who was called in as the first witness of the case and gave his testimony to the court last week.
In his 27 page deposition, Pathan has also identified 21 of the accused in the case, pointing out the crimes that they had committed during the riots like rape, murder, attempted murder and arson. Commenting System
Ehsan Jafri, the leader who had perished in the riots, was known as a strong nationalist, who had reportedly worked for unity, communal harmony, religious tolerance and national pride. The former parliamentarian was also a prominent trade unionist, who was one of the top party officials of the state unit of the Congress party.
Jafri was born in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh in 1929. His father, Dr Allahbaksh Jafri, was a freedom fighter. In 1935, he had moved to Ahmedabad, studying at the RC High school and participated in several freedom fighting demonstrations. He had been caught in a riot, before the 2002 riots too. In the 1969 communal riots, his house had been burnt to the ground and he had to move to the relief camp.
Jafri was born in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh in 1929. His father, Dr Allahbaksh Jafri, was a freedom fighter. In 1935, he had moved to Ahmedabad, studying at the RC High school and participated in several freedom fighting demonstrations. He had been caught in a riot, before the 2002 riots too. In the 1969 communal riots, his house had been burnt to the ground and he had to move to the relief camp.
In the 2002 riots, history repeated itself and his home was again burnt down in the Gulberg society. His home was targetted by rioters who killed many muslims who had taken shelter there, before setting it on fire. Jafri himself perished in the incident, though his wife, Zakia Jafri survived.
Pathan has stated that in his last five hours, Jafri and several Congress party members repeatedly kept calling the police and other government officials, requesting safe transport for the residents, but no help arrived.
Pathan has stated that in his last five hours, Jafri and several Congress party members repeatedly kept calling the police and other government officials, requesting safe transport for the residents, but no help arrived.
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