Gulbarg massacre site now paid parking space: Survivor

AHMEDABAD: Gulbarg Society, the site of one of the worst massacres on February 28, 2002, during the Gujarat riots, has now become a space for paid parking. The allegation has been made by a Gulbarg massacre survivor, Firoz Khan, who lost ten of his family in the riots. In his application of complaint, Khan has named another riot survivor from Gulbarg, Qasam Mansuri, who lost 19 members of his family. In Gulbarg, 69 people — including former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri — were killed in the 2002 riots.

These days Mansuri is the lone resident of the society that comprises eight flats and 19 bungalows.

An air of horror still envelops the society. In deserted houses — such as bungalow 19 where Jafri used to live — the only sign of life is wild vegetation that slithers around charred walls. But in recent times, vehicles have been cruising into the compound after dark, according to Khan. He says that Mansuri illegally takes Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per month to allow people to park in the society. "This pay-and-park facility is illegal and cannot be allowed in the deserted Gulbarg Society," his application to the police reads.

However, Mansuri has denied any wrongdoing. "I am a cotton trader and I park the vehicles I use for business — such as tempos and trucks — inside the society," Mansuri said. "Sometimes, my friends park their vehicles in the society. If Khan has so many objections, then he should come and live here." Sub-inspector of the Meghaninagar police station, D S Punadiya, said that Khan's application has been received. "We have initiated a probe and both parties will be summoned to record their statements," Punadiya said.