Teesta, 17 others detained

The Godhra police on Friday, the seventh anniversary of the Godhra carnage, detained Teesta Setalvad and 17 belonging to families of people who lost their lives in the post-Godhra riots. They were detained for two hours and then taken to Pandarwada.

Setalvad, a senior worker of NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), was in Godhra on Friday, accompanied by the 17 aforementioned people, to offer her respect to the 58 victims who were killed in the Sabarmati Express carnage. The 17 people were relatives of people who had lost their lives at Naroda Patia and Oad village in the days following the Godhra carnage.

On learning that Setalvad would be visiting coach S-6 of the Sabarmati Express, the Godhra police rushed to Sevaliya crossroads and detained all 18 present there. They were then taken to the Godhra police headquarters and detained for two hours. They were later released and taken to Pandarwada under police protection.

"I came to offer my respect to the 58 karsevaks who lost their lives in the Godhra carnage and to those killed in the post-Godhra riots. I was there with the message of peace. I cannot understand why we were detained by the police," said Setalvad.

Officials of the Godhra police department said they had detained the 18 with the aim of maintaining law and order as the VHP had also organised a programme in Godhra. On reaching Pandarwada, Setalvad organised a rally as a tribute to the victims of the riots. Many family members of the victims also aired their grievances related to the compensation given by the state government.

Maulik Buch/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication