NEW DELHI: With some grocery shops having reopened, damaged electrical lines being restored, metro stations functioning and at least a few people starting to go about their daily chores, northeast Delhi is slowly trying to move on from the horrors of the last few days.
Roads leading to Jafrabad and Maujpur-Babarpur were visibly more active on Thursday. Shops selling essential commodities opened and vegetable and fruit vendors could be seen moving around. However, the pall of gloom persisted.
Other riot-affected areas, such as Chand Bagh, Mustafabad, Kabir Nagar and Kardampuri, also saw a semblance of normalcy. Maujpur Chowk, which was until Wednesday occupied by police, was bustling with activity. On Maujpur main road, medical shops opened in the morning.
A shopkeeper, Sunil Tyagi, told TOI: “I opened my shop after three days...many people were calling me with urgent requirements. We don’t have enough stocks though. I plan to down the shutters at 1.30pm. I will take a call later about reopening in the evening.”
At another shop, senior citizens queued up for medicines. Painkillers were most in demand. Paramilitary forces were stationed in heavy numbers in the inner lanes. Some local traders from both communities could be seen serving refreshments to them. Shashank Sharma (25), a resident of Maujpur, said they were thankful to the forces for restoring normalcy.
Rajesh Sharma, who owns a garment shop, said rumours were giving them sleepless nights. “After a generator caught fire near a market in Maujpur, it triggered rumours of arson.” At several places in Maujpur, Shiv Vihar and Gokulpuri, officials were busy restoring the damaged power lines. “Some poles have been burnt down, while at other points arsonists cut off the lines,” a BSES official said.
At a bangle shop, Hema Bisht was seen shopping for a relative’s wedding. “No one could come for the pre-wedding celebrations. We couldn’t even purchase anything as shops and roads were shut. I have come out today to buy bangles for the bride,” she said.
On the other side of the canal in Kabir Nagar, some shops had reopened. In Chand Bagh, people ventured out on the streets. Police prevented crowds from gathering. The narrow alleys leading from the arterial road between Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar, which had been blocked by locals, were being opened again. An earthmover was being used to clear the rubble and glass shards.
However, uncertainty still haunted those affected by the riots. “My shop was torched and I lost most of my belongings. I have no insurance. How will I rebuild my life?” asked a distressed Bhure Khan, a shop owner who sold fruits and other utilities.
Shama Parween, a 45-year-old widow who stitches clothes for a living in Chand Bagh, showed her plastered left foot. “I cannot use the sowing machine right now. I have a house to run and three children to feed. A neighbourhood doctor treated me and told me to keep the plaster on for at least a month. How will I earn a livelihood?” she asked.
An East Delhi Municipal Corporation spokesperson said that debris and burnt vehicles were being removed. “We are giving priority to the least-affected areas so that our officials are not attacked and equipment damage. That can demoralise the workers,” he added.
Roads leading to Jafrabad and Maujpur-Babarpur were visibly more active on Thursday. Shops selling essential commodities opened and vegetable and fruit vendors could be seen moving around. However, the pall of gloom persisted.
Other riot-affected areas, such as Chand Bagh, Mustafabad, Kabir Nagar and Kardampuri, also saw a semblance of normalcy. Maujpur Chowk, which was until Wednesday occupied by police, was bustling with activity. On Maujpur main road, medical shops opened in the morning.
A shopkeeper, Sunil Tyagi, told TOI: “I opened my shop after three days...many people were calling me with urgent requirements. We don’t have enough stocks though. I plan to down the shutters at 1.30pm. I will take a call later about reopening in the evening.”
At another shop, senior citizens queued up for medicines. Painkillers were most in demand. Paramilitary forces were stationed in heavy numbers in the inner lanes. Some local traders from both communities could be seen serving refreshments to them. Shashank Sharma (25), a resident of Maujpur, said they were thankful to the forces for restoring normalcy.
Rajesh Sharma, who owns a garment shop, said rumours were giving them sleepless nights. “After a generator caught fire near a market in Maujpur, it triggered rumours of arson.” At several places in Maujpur, Shiv Vihar and Gokulpuri, officials were busy restoring the damaged power lines. “Some poles have been burnt down, while at other points arsonists cut off the lines,” a BSES official said.
At a bangle shop, Hema Bisht was seen shopping for a relative’s wedding. “No one could come for the pre-wedding celebrations. We couldn’t even purchase anything as shops and roads were shut. I have come out today to buy bangles for the bride,” she said.
On the other side of the canal in Kabir Nagar, some shops had reopened. In Chand Bagh, people ventured out on the streets. Police prevented crowds from gathering. The narrow alleys leading from the arterial road between Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar, which had been blocked by locals, were being opened again. An earthmover was being used to clear the rubble and glass shards.
However, uncertainty still haunted those affected by the riots. “My shop was torched and I lost most of my belongings. I have no insurance. How will I rebuild my life?” asked a distressed Bhure Khan, a shop owner who sold fruits and other utilities.
Shama Parween, a 45-year-old widow who stitches clothes for a living in Chand Bagh, showed her plastered left foot. “I cannot use the sowing machine right now. I have a house to run and three children to feed. A neighbourhood doctor treated me and told me to keep the plaster on for at least a month. How will I earn a livelihood?” she asked.
An East Delhi Municipal Corporation spokesperson said that debris and burnt vehicles were being removed. “We are giving priority to the least-affected areas so that our officials are not attacked and equipment damage. That can demoralise the workers,” he added.
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