Bhatkalis Feel Singled out After Mumbai Terror Attack
Bhatkal, Jul 18 (Bangalore Mirror): Muslims in Bhatkal dread it every time there’s a terror attack in the country. And this time is no exception. Bhatkalis belonging to the Nawayath community turn pale each time there’s a knock on the door. It could be the police on a door-to-door survey, asking for details about family members, their occupation, residence details, passport details and telephone numbers.
Families with Bhatkal (the place’s name) attached to their names are easy targets. And the fact that the Bhatkal brothers are founders of the Indian Mujahideen doesn’t make it any better for innocent Bhatkalis. In fact, their troubles started when the IM’s named surfaced after the 2008 serial blasts, residents allege.
The vigil this time reportedly includes tapping their phones, tracking movements, frequent police visits and now, a door-to-door survey of select households.
“People here live in fear,” said a lawyer, requesting anonymity. “We have seen police visiting households to verify things when the need arises. But here, it’s uncalled for. Police are conducting a door-to-door survey only where people either have the word Bhatkal attached to their names or if they happen to be the Bhatkal brothers’ neighbours. It has triggered a fear psychosis among the innocent.”
Door-to-door survey
The police had stopped their survey about a month ago after it drew flak but with the Mumbai attacks, it has started again. “It’s humiliating. Police are dividing us along communal lines,” said a resident.
However, police deny ill-treating Bhatkalis because of their names. “The district police wanted some vital information on key areas and that’s why we conducted the survey in some parts. It could not be completed because some people did not agree,” said V B Gaonkar, Additional SP, Karwar. “We visited families, asking them to be alert and to tip us off about suspicious people,” he added.