Azizpur (Bihar), Jan 21 (IANS) A Hindu woman who saved lives of 10 Muslims in this village in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district during the recent clashes in which five people died is being hailed as a hero, officials said.
Shail Devi, a frail widow in her early 50s, risking her own life, gave shelter to her Muslim neighbours when a mob of more than 5,000 people attacked Azizpur Bahilwara village after a 20-year-old Hindu boy's body was found Sunday.
He was allegedly abducted and killed over his love affair with a Muslim girl.
"I provided shelter to my Muslim neighbours to save their lives because the mob could have killed them," Shail said Wednesday morning.
Shail, a poor woman fighting for her survival like many others in this village, told IANS that she along with her two daughters stood guard outside her house when a mob was targeting Muslims in the village. She told them that it was a house of a 'Mallah' (fisherman).
"I lied to rioters that I had not given shelter to Muslims in my house. Though some people tried to enter my house but I stopped them and they returned," she said.
Shail, widow of late Jaglal Sahni, has become a household name in the village and neighbouring villages for her rare example of communal harmony.
"She has proved again that humanity is still alive, we are proud of her," Arvind Kumar, a villager, said.
Ash Mohammad, a man in his 60s, who was one of the ten Muslims whose lives were saved by Shail, told IANS that she is like 'farishta' (angel) to them.
"Shail was like god-sent angel to us...," Mohammad said.
Mohammad admitted that all of them could have been killed if Shail had not given shelter to them.
A day after she saved lives of her Muslim neighbours, some Hindu villagers warned her that she may be targeted by some people of the mob for doing it, Shail said.
"I was so frightened that I along with my two daughters and a son Monday took shelter in Mohammad's house but after district administration persuaded, I returned to my home," she said.
Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who visited the village Wednesday, met Shail. He lauded her role and compared her with legendary Rani Lakshmibai.
Manjhi also announced a cash reward of Rs.51,000 for her.
"She is an example of communal harmony. People should take lesson from her and she would inspire others to follow her," Manjhi praised her.
Manjhi also announced assistance of Rs.20,000 each to her two unmarried daughters under a welfare scheme.
Earlier, Bihar Information Technology Minister Shahid Ali Khan also praised Shail for saving the lives of her Muslim neighbours.
"I promised her help by the state government, and a reward for her soon," said Khan, who visited the village Tuesday.
A First Information Report (FIR) was registered Monday against 2,000 unidentified people and 12 named accused who were part of the mob that attacked the villagers from a particular community, the official added.
Police have already arrested 14 people in this connection.
Additional Director General of Police Gupteshwar Pandey submitted an inquiry report on the incident Tuesday to the state government.
Soon after the incident, Manjhi asked Pandey and state Home Secretary Sudhir Kumar to conduct a probe and report to him.
The BJP Tuesday demanded a judicial probe into the killing of four people and arson in a village that later turned into a communal clash in Bihar.
Bangladesh beat debutants Afghanistan by 105 runs
Canberra, Feb 18 (IANS) World Cup debutants Afghanistan crumbled against Bangladesh to lose their opening Pool A match by 105 runs at the Manuka Oval here Wednesday.Mushfiqur Rahim (71) and Shakib
Cut in Passenger Fares unlikely in Rail Budget, hints Prabhu
Bengaluru, Jan 29 (IANS) Reduction in passenger fares is unlikely in the ensuing railway budget for 2015-16 despite sharp fall in diesel price, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu hinted Thursday."We
Coronavirus impact: RBI cuts repo rate by 75 bps to 4.4%, reverse repo cut by 90 bps to 4%
भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था पर उपन्यास कोरोनावायरस (कोविद -19) बीमारी के प्रभाव से
Daylong snowfall hits life in Kashmir Valley
Srinagar, March 16 (IANS) Uninterrupted daylong snowfall on Monday cut off the Kashmir Valley from the rest of India, disrupting surface and air traffic. Electric supply also snapped at many
NASA's Space-X Crew-6 mission postponed: Rocket engine malfunctioned 2 minutes before launching, now will fly tomorrow at 12:15 pm
The launch of NASA's Space-X Crew-6 mission has been postponed. According to reports, the launch of the Space-X Falcon-9 rocket (Dragon Endeavour) has been stopped due to engine failure. Now it will
BJP's attack on Congress supporting 'Bharat Bandh', Ravi Shankar Prasad said - is involved in the movement to save survival
The BJP on Monday attacked the opposition parties, including the Congress, over the agitation of farmers against the three agricultural laws of the central government. Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar
Corona kills: Two thousand crore industry related to publishing hangs, 1400 employees become unemployed
During the corona epidemic, the Meerut city-locked industry worth Rs 2,000 crore is locked up. Publishing institutes have been going through a situation of closure since 2020. The printers who work
The world raged at Russia's move: Putin's decision warned many countries including America, Britain, Biden ordered to stop business with Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken a big step amid the ongoing tensions over Russia's military deployment on Ukraine's borders. They recognized the Luhansk and Donetsk provinces of eastern
Weather Update Today: Heavy rain alert in UP- Bihar, Red alert in Uttarakhand, know the weather of Delhi-NCR
Due to the low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal, there may be light or heavy rain in some states including West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Bihar, UP, Delhi
Rajasthan MLA is running Punjab government with minister's bungalow, Captain Amarinder attacks Harish Chaudhary
Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today dismissed as baseless allegations made by Congress Secretary Punjab in-charge Harish Chaudhary that he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi