Muslims flee villages after married man elopes with a tribal

VADODARA: Muslims from two villages in Gujarat's Panchmahal district have fled their homes fearing a backlash after a married man eloped with a tribal girl.
Napaniya and Khalaspur village residents ran away after Hanif Yusuf Khatki, a resident of Khalaspur, eloped with Suman Baria of the same village. The couple returned and went back to their respective families, but the villagers are reluctant to return.
In the post-Godhra riots, these villages faced widespread arson and plunder, forcing residents to flee to safer places. Incidentally Seema's father, Motisinh Baria, had helped Khatki's family during these troubled times and even provided them shelter.
Khatki, a married man, ran away with Suman on June 8. The couple was traced and returned to their families on Friday. "But fears of a backlash in the wake of the extensive arson that had taken place in the villages in 2002, forced us to leave the village. Whatever Khatki did was wrong and should face the consequences," said Napaniya-resident Abdul Qureshi now staying in Godhra.
Nagin Qureshi, who stayed back, said that he was among a handful who decided to look after the houses and cattle. "People are afraid after what they saw in 2002. While there is no threat or hostility so far, nobody wants to take risks."
SP Sachin Badshah said that only a handful had left the villages and that it was unconnected to the elopement. "There is no problem. We have posted armed policemen after the incident."