Riot wounds would take time to heal even as normalcy returns

The wounds that were left behind by communal riots in Delhi would take time to heal as a number of shops and houses, which were burnt and destroyed, are in bad shape. The owners of such buildings would have to be compensated fast so that they could get them repaired and erase the ugly signs of hatred.

New Delhi: Communal riots in the national capital may have been curbed within few days but the destruction, pain and agony that they have left behind would take time to go away. Affected people are hurt and are in need of help to start their life afresh.

The riots, which left over fifty killed and hundreds injured, some of them very critically, were a result of protests against and for the modified Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), political high temperature in the run-up to Delhi Assembly elections and the hate speeches that followed the two.

An ETV Bharat correspondent, who visited the most affected areas in north-east parts of the city, was surrounded by the affected people who gave him their account of loss.

Some of the affected people showed their destroyed houses, shops and other business establishments. In one of the shops, completely burnt during the riots which lasted three days, even the currency notes inside a locker were burnt. The owner said he had kept cash in the locker and every penny was turned into ash.

"We had left our house well in time in order to save our lives but when we came back our house was burnt beyond recognition and there was nothing left," said one of the affected persons.

A woman told ETV Bharat that she could take only two blankets for her children while leaving her house unattended during the riots.

"We left the house to save our lives but when we came back it was looted and burnt," she said.

On being asked if the government was doing enough to rehabilitate them, they replied saying that forms have been submitted and the authorities have assured them of all possible help.