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HALOL, a small town near Godhra, was aflame during the communal violence of 2002. The survivors of the carnage see a glimmer of hope in the Panchmahal district court's recent sentencing of five accused to life imprisonment in one of the related cases. It was probably the first time that a court in Gujarat has passed such a harsh sentence against perpetrators of the pogrom.
For the victims, it has been a long and difficult battle, which has only just begun. Over the past three years they have been subjected to intimidation, and attempts have been made to lure them with enticements. In fact, the success has only endangered their lives further. One of the witnesses spoke to Frontline about their journey so far and the road ahead:
"I saw the accused kill and burn my uncle and my cousin. Two of our neighbours were also killed with them. When I became a witness in the case, my business suffered a lot. I used to sell second-hand motorbikes and scooters. But when people found out that I had testified against the people in the mob, my sales suffered a lot. People stopped coming to meet me. I had to close down my business.
"Through the years, we kept getting threats and a few offers for a settlement. We were even offered Rs.20 to 25 lakh by the family of one of the accused. Even the lawyer and the activist helping us were threatened. Acid was thrown at one of their homes.
"I think the reason we won the case is because we told the court in detail about what we saw. Other witnesses get scared that they will be killed and are sometimes vague in their testimonies. But I saw them burn my own family alive. Every day we are reminded of that ghastly incident as we pass by the graveyard. No matter how hard we try to forget, it keeps haunting us.
"We are happy that five of the accused have been sentenced to death, but after this victory, too, we continue to receive threats. One of those sentenced to life is on parole so I have to be careful. His life is already destroyed so now he wants to kill those responsible for putting him in jail. There is still another case for the same incident, which will come up for hearing in the courts soon. There, we will have to testify against 13 accused. Ten of these 13 are out on bail and live close to our homes, so we are still in danger. I cannot go out of the house alone. Even if I am with someone, I have to think twice even about going to the bus depot or the market. I do not think the danger will end soon."
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