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.
After the entry of Corona into the IPL, a big decision has been taken on Tuesday. The match betwe
Ghee can be easily found for drinking in rural areas of western Rajasthan, but it is difficult to
On the 19th day of the Israel-Hamas war, the Israeli Air Force carried out a massive bombardment
How to play PUBG Mobile India, pre-registration, know what will be special in this time game
Now, the curiosity of PUBG enthusiasts is increasing due to the return of PUBG to India. It is be
Jerusalem, Agency. Benjamin Netanyahu has once again become the Prime Minister of Israel. He was
Positive efforts have started at several levels simultaneously to improve relations between India
GST Collection: GST collection in May stood at Rs 1.41 lakh crore, 16% less than April
The figures for GST revenue were presented by the Finance Ministry on Wednesday. According to thi
Apples, tourism, and now marble... know how friendship with Pakistan is costing Turkey heavily
Turkey, which is helping Pakistan by sending drones, is facing constant anger. Now Udaipur's marb
Court orders confiscation of Odisha's Rose Valley property
Bhubaneswar, Feb 25 (IANS) A special court in Odisha Wednesday ordered the state government to
SC pulls up home ministry for not acting promptly on rape videos
New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Friday took to task the union home ministry for
