Maliyana riot victims await justice

Meerut: Just a day after the Hashimpura massacre, on May 23, 73 people were massacred. Among them, 43 were from Maliyana alone, who became the victims of violence. Some were murdered while a few were burnt alive.

After 31 years the affected people still wait for justice. The victims are very anxious as the progress in the case has been tardy. Over 800 dates have been fixed for hearings during the last 31 years. Only 7 witnesses recorded their statements.

Eyewitness Mohammed Yaqoob laments that no one, right from district administration to the court, took the matter seriously. However, he still has hope that he will get justice someday. He has lost all his loved ones and property in the riots. He alleged that the case is deliberately dragged.

Another victim Mohammed Nasir says the affected families are totally ruined. They got no relief even after 31 years.

While hope for justice seems to be rapidly fading away in Maliyana, Sirajuddin, a resident of Maliyana, hopes that now that the judgment has come for Hashimpura massacre case, now there is a ray of hope that Maliyana victims will also get justice.