1987 Meerut riots
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The 1987 Meerut masscacre were a series of violent communal disturbances between Hindus and Muslims in [1] the northern Uttar Pradesh[2] town Meerut which occurred from March to June 1987. It resulted in the death of more than 100 people.[3]
Background
The tension started in 1986 when the black seal of the disputed structure commonly known as Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was opened by the Government which led muslim extremists to make some hateful speeches and brainwashing were also poured into the mind of the muslims.[4] Disputed structure commonly known as Babri Masjid and RamJanmabhoomi controversy created huge communal tension in Uttar Pradesh. It is alleged by Hindus that the disputed structure commonly known as Babri Masjid was constructed by Babur after the demolition of a Ram Mandir back in 1528 A.D.[5]
Violence
Inflammatory speeches made by muslim Extremist leaders created communal tensions in the area. This resulted in Muslims organising their a rally held in March 1987 by the All India Babri Masjid Action Committee, a non-government organization representing Muslims increased communal tensions in Meerut and ultimately led to communal clashes in April. 10 people died in these riots. The misinformation spread on murder of a Hindu man due to a land dispute aggravated issues and was given a communal tinge. This resulted in additional police and subsequently the army and CRPF being called in to restore order.
The first acts of violence were between the police and Muslims where police fired on protesting Muslims but later on became a communal riot between Hindus and Muslims. A Hindu shop owner was stabbed to death by Muslim which led Muslims being targeted during the violence by the police and the Hindu rioters which killed Hundreds in the next few days as the riots spread to Modinagar. Estimated property loss was around 50 crores. Hindu and Muslim doctors faced the wrath of their own community for treating patients of other community.[5]
According to People's Union for Civil Liberties, after a Muslim girl was crushed under police jeep. This resulted in the police firing at the mob which killed several people. A Car was also attacked by the Muslim mob, killing inside a famous local Hindu doctor named Dr Prabhat.[4][6] Though doctors father is now fighting for justice for the hundreds of Muslims massacred in Riots by Hindu mob and police personnel.[4]
50 gazetted police officers and more than 60 companies of the PAC, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Army had to control the riots.[7] Many Muslims were burnt alive by a Hindu mob in villages on the outskirts of Meerut city.[4]
PAC officials have been charged by court of filling buses with Muslims taken from their homes and killing them. Later throwing those dead bodies in the canal.[8]
Trials and 2018 verdict
On 6 September 2018, the Delhi high court reserved its verdict in the case. On 31 October 2018, the Delhi HC convicted 16 former PAC personnel for life after finding them guilty of the murder of 42 people.[9]
References
- ^ Article itself says "The first acts of violence were between police and Muslim but later on became a communal riot".
- ^ Uekert, Brenda. Rivers of Blood: A Comparative Study of Government Massacres. Greenwood Publishing.
- ^ Raval, Sheela; Chakravarty, Sayantan; Ahmed, Farzand (21 July 2003). "Riotous fury in India: Innocent people suffer, accused go free". India Today. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d Ghosh, Jyoti Punwani and Uttam. "The good samaritans of Hashimpura". Rediff.
- ^ a b Badhwar, Inderjit (15 June 1987). "Devastating communal riots sweep through Meerut and its adjoining areas in Uttar Pradesh". India Today. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Meerut riots of May 1987". pucl.org/. People's Union for Civil Liberties. Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
- ^ "Justice out of sight". www.frontline.in.
- ^ "1987 Hashimpura massacre case: Delhi HC sentences 16 ex-policemen to life imprisonment" – via The Economic Times.
- ^ "India's dismal record in riot convictions". The Times of India.