http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/US-Muslims-say-Muzaffarnagar-victims-in-fear/articleshow/29328792.cms
Pervez Iqbal Siddiqui,TNN | Jan 25, 2014, 05.08 AM IST
LUCKNOW: Members of a delegation of US-based Indian Muslims who visited Muzaffarnagar relief camps have said that riot survivors are scared of returning to their homes after being allegedly warned by villagers from the majority community that they won’t be allowed to practice their faith.
The eight-member delegation of American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin comprising doctors, social workers and academics had visited Muzaffarnagar on December 31. In a report released on January 21, the delegation said, “A number of refugees told us that they’ve been told by Jats to not grow beard, give the call for ‘azaan’, or perform the namaaz.”
The report said the state government, too, had failed to in taking confidence building measure to bridge the communal divide. Data provided by local workers showed that at least 30,000 people were living as refugees in camps till December 31, whereas the state government claims that less than 3,000 survivors are living in relief camps.
The delegation was also unhappy with the camp conditions where survivors are forced to live under tarpaulin tents in freezing temperatures. This has resulted in the death of infants and the rapid spread of disease. One more kid died on Thursday due to cold. The delegation also discovered that the compensation offered by the government was inadequate in comparison to the losses suffered. The delegation also questioned the caveats attached to the compensation — those who avail it will have no claim over their property abandoned during the riots.
The education of children in camps stands suspended. No educational activities are held, the report stated. “The health of pregnant women is a cause of major concern… The mental health of victims, especially women and children, is a concern on which very little attention has been paid. The interviews with refugees revealed their emotional and psychological scars.”
The delegation has asked the UP government to stop forcible closure of camps until the victims are rehabilitated. It has also sought stern action against those indulging in intimidation, coercion and such acts.
The federation is also contemplating initiatives like building homes for survivors in resettlement colonies and establishing schools.
