Kairana Hindus returning to their places, courtesy Yogi Government

Kairana (UP), Feb 20: Assured with the steps taken by Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government to restore the law and order and ensure peace in the state, many Hindu families that have migrated to ‘safer’ heavens during the communal violence, are now returning to their places. And this ‘real ghar wapsi’ is no less than a miracle!

Just about a year ago, Kairana was in the news because of the communal violence that forced the Hindus to leave their home and hearths and migrate to safer heavens. The panic-stricken Hindus now found solace in the 10-month rule of Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh.

With a visible improvement in law and order situation in the state, over a dozen Hindu families have returned to Kairana and this is creditable for the Yogi government.

Wall-writings like ‘ye ghar bikaau hain’ (this house is for sale) are not seen now. People have started their business and property rates are again on the rise. People feel that the new government in the state has brought about this change.

“Mayi sarkarne mahaul badal diya hain”, is the common phrase heard from all in Kairana town. Local residents confirmed the return of some 12-15 Hindu families to the town. They include cinema hall owner Ankur Mittal who had fled to Haridwar with his family in 2014, who is now planning to relaunch his business.

“This year, I will be bringing my children to Kairana to celebrate Holi. There is no fear; situation has improved a lot. Earlier, when I used to visit Kairana from Haridwar, my wife would consistently be on phone until I left from there. But now, even she is ready to return to Kairana,” Mittal told Mail Today.

Terrified by a spate of murders in 2014, Mittal fled the city overnight and set up a new business in Haridwar.

India Today quoted Mittal as saying, “I had got an extortion call for Rs 5 lakh. In August 2014, three businessmen were killed on the streets in broad daylight. I could be one of them. I got my children admitted to a school in Dehradun and settled with my mother and wife in Haridwar,” he said.

Varun Kumar, 30, who saw the murder of his elder brother Vinod Kumar outside their shop in the crowded Chowk Bazar market, also feels the change.

“We shut down our shop after brother’s murder. But things seem to have changed a lot. There is no fear in the city; police have arrested most of the gangsters and even killed some of them. Now, we can hope for a better living,” Varun said. His brother Vinod was the first businessman in Kairana who was killed for not giving the extortion money.

Earlier this month, police killed sharpshooter Shabir Ahmed, calling it their biggest catch in west UP.

Ahmed carried a bounty of Rs 50,000 and had more than 20 cases of loot and murder against him.

While Mukim Kala is in jail, most of the gang members are either behind bars or killed. Ahmed was the only prominent one who was still operating after Mukim’s brother Wasim was killed in an encounter three months ago.