Background

Shri Narendra Modi was recalled to Gujarat from his Party Host at Delhi and sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7^th Oct 2001. He was not then a member of the State Legislative Assembly. In accordance with the Rules he stood for elections from Rajkot and was declared elected on 24^th Feb 2002.

Exactly 3 days later on the 27^th of Feb 2002, the Sabarmati Express carrying ‘Kar Sevaks’ from Faizabad to Ahmedabad was attacked and torched at about 8:00 AM at Godhra, resulting in the death of 58 passengers, mostly women and children. The riots, wide spread across the State, started on 28^th Feb 2002.

Actions taken by the new Narendra Modi Government included:

• A state – wide alert was given on 27^th. Feb, directing the law enforcement agencies to take all possible steps to maintain law and order.
• It was ensured that the dead bodies of the Godhra victims were not brought to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital but were taken to a Civil Hospital away from the city at Sola to prevent any vitiation of the atmosphere in Ahmedabad and elsewhere. It was decided that a mass funeral be held in order to prevent tension in many areas.
• Curfew was imposed in Godhra instantly on 27^th. Feb. Starting from the morning of 28^th. Feb, a curfew was imposed at places like Vadodara, Ahmedabad city, Sabarkantha and other several sensitive places. Many other urban areas came under curfew on 1^st. Mar (the next day).
• The Chief Minister held a high-level meeting to review the situation and appeal for peace.
• The government mobilized the entire State Police Force and the Reserve Police to meet the emerging situation.
• The Rapid Action Force (RAF) was called and deployed at Ahmedabad city, Vadodara, and Godhra from the afternoon of 27^th. Feb.
• Paramilitary forces were called and deployed at sensitive places.
• Several repeat alert messages were sent on 28^th. Feb calling for preventive steps to ensure security of all religious places, including mosques.
• On 28^th. Feb, the government of lndia was requested for the help of the Armed Forces. There were no Armed Forces stationed in Ahmedabad and those stationed in Border areas had to be airlifted to Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Rajkot.
• Two brigades were deployed at sensitive places in Ahmedabad city on the morning of 1^st. March 2002 the very next day.
• Police authorities were asked to monitor the situation round-the-dock. Shoot-at-sight orders were issued.
• Large numbers of preventive arrests were made.
• The Chief Secretary and additional Chief Secretary conducted many video conferences to review law and order for preventive measures to establish communal harmony.
• Ministers and in-charge Secretaries were named to tackle any situation in the districts.

However, the sheer scale of the riot overwhelmed all such responses and it took two days to bring the situation under control. Of Course, this was quicker than was the case in Delhi in 1984.

JAI BHARAT – JAI HIND!

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