The Kerala Story: Muslim men flee homes in Maharashtra's Akola fearing police excesses after riots

NAGPUR: Hundreds of Muslims men, most of them poor labourers, from six areas dominated by the minority community have reportedly fled homes fearing Akola police would falsely implicate them in the May 13 riot-related cases.
SP Sandeep Ghuge refused to comment on the allegations of false cases, exodus of minorities and prejudiced action against a specific community. He claimed that the lanes are looking deserted due to the curfew orders issued by the collector.
Collector Neema Arora stated that there has been no ill-intended action against any specific community. “We have no clue from where this rumor (about exodus) has originated but there could be mala fide intention.”
On the curfew, the collector stated there was no such order in force now except within the limits of the Old City police station where the Criminal Procedure Code Section 144 is in force between 8pm and 8am restricting assembly of four or more people.
Asif Ahmed Khan, a social worker from Akot File area, said that entire localities in the six areas have been looking like abandoned places since May 14 following the riots.
“Each locality has a population of at least 10,000. What we are seeing right now is just women and kids. Cops are picking up Muslim men in gross violation of rules and booking them under section 307 of IPC for attempt to murder,” alleged Khan adding such actions have shocked them.
Khan also said the the Old City area is still completely shut down from 8pm to 8am while Sec 144 is in force in other areas too. “Besides Old City and Akot File areas, Sontakke Plot, Hamza Plot, Gudwale Plot and Khiar Mohammad Plots are witnessing an unprecedented exodus,” he said.
Clashes had started in Akola on May 13 over an Instagram chat on a post regarding the movie ‘The Kerala Story’. Khan alleged that police were taking one-sided action while members from both communities took to violence. “It was pointed out before court too that only six people from another community are booked while over 100 Muslim men are facing criminal charges. How can only six men face a huge mob?” he said.
Riyaz (name changed), who works as a civic agent, left his home after police picked up his nephews on the night of violence. “Cops are harassing innocent youths. My sister is a widow. Four cops entered her home at Hamza Plot lane 5 at 4am on May 13. They took both her sons aged 26 and 19. They were asleep when all this happened.
I have opponents in professional life. I fear they may implicate me,” he said. Many others are also fearing similar “vindictive ploys” by their rivals amid the tension. “We were the ones pacifying the mobs. Police are brutally beating up those in custody. Seeing their plight, people are living in fear.
Our women and kids are surviving with whatever we left behind,” said another man who had left the district. Political activist Irfan Khan, a resident of Mehmood Nagar, blamed the police department. “First incident took place in Akot File. Next day, slogans were raised and stone pelting happened in Muslim area.
When Muslim men came out to protect themselves, cops booked them. An Insta post labelling Muslims as terrorist created tension in Murtijapur. A girl’s hijab was snatched in Patur. No action was taken by cops,” he said. “These were small incidents to provoke the Muslims,” Khan said.