Fear following Bilkis case convicts' release forces Muslim families to seek shelter in relief colony

Ahmedabad: Several Muslim families are reported to have been leaving their homes in Randhikpur (Singwad) in Gujarat following the release of 11 persons, who were convicted for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family members.

The Indian Express report said that those Muslim Families now shifted to Rahi-mabad Relief Colony of Devgarh Baria taluka in Dahod district where Bilkis has been living since 2017.

In Randhikpur, the convicted goons raped Bilkis during the 2002 Gujarat pogrom.

She was 21 years old then and five months pregnant. Seven members of her family were killed by rioters.

TIE report also claimed to have seen people from Randhikpur being transported into the relief colony on tempo rickshaws, which were loaded with luggage.

The families with whom TIE had spoken are also said to have decided not to leave the colony until a decision is to made to revisit the remission of the convicts.

The convicts were released from the Godhra sub-jail on August 15, following a recommendation of the Jail Advisory Committee (JAC), set up by the Gujarat government, which approved their application for remission of sentence.

The families have shared their fear and intimidation following the release of the convicts. Though there is nothing as a direct threat from the convicts, the jubilant welcome that they had received in the village has created an atmosphere of fear among the Muslim families, TIE reports quoting villagers.

In a memorandum submitted by the Muslim community in Dahod before the District Collector on Monday, the community said that the state government's decision to grant remission to the convicts has "dented the image and respect of the judicial system" and should be "reversed to restore faith in justice".