The Hindu : Other States / Gujarat News : Tight security for Zahira

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 05, 2004

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Other States - Gujarat

Tight security for Zahira

By Manas Dasgupta

VADODARA, NOV. 4. It was a frustrating day for the mediapersons keeping a watch on the movements of Zahira Sheikh, key eyewitness and main complainant in the Best Bakery case. Ms. Sheikh and her family were lodged in a hotel near the airport under heavy police security. Ms. Sheikh — who had alleged on Wednesday that her life was under threat from the Mumbai-based social activist, Teesta Setalvad, whose organisation, Citizens for Justice and Peace, is fighting the case on her behalf in the Mumbai court — was provided black commando guards at her request.

At the hotel, Ms. Sheikh and her family members kept themselves strictly indoors. No one was seen coming out of the hotel nor was anyone allowed to meet her or other family members.

In the evening, she sent a request to the Police Commissioner through her advocate for police protection and a vehicle to leave for Ahmedabad. The police official said her advocate told him that Ms. Sheikh and her family felt they would be better protected in Ahmedabad. The request was acceded to. Clad in a burqa, Ms. Sheikh gave the slip to the waiting mediapersons and left for Ahmedabad. Police sources indicated that she might take a flight to Mumbai from there to appear in the court where she is due to testify today.

Modi demands `inquiry'

Following the retractment of her statements by Ms. Sheikh in Mumbai, the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, today demanded an "inquiry" into the activities of certain non-government organisations. Without naming Ms. Setalvad or her organisation, he said Wednesday's developments demonstrated the "dubious role" played by some NGOs. It was time that concerned citizens and the constitutional authorities looked into the roles of such NGOs.

At a hurriedly-convened press conference here yesterday, Ms. Sheikh had alleged that she and her brother were "kidnapped at knifepoint" by Ms. Setalvad's "accomplices" and kept in "solitary confinement" in Mumbai. They were "forced to tell lies" in the Mumbai court in identifying the 21 accused in the case. Local voluntary organisations have expressed surprised over the sudden developments. They do not rule out the possibility of Ms. Sheikh being "under pressure" to retract her statements. There has also been speculation over her stay in a posh hotel here.

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Tight security for Zahira