(Rptg yesterday's DI 33 changing dateline)

Nithari, Uttar Pradesh, Mar 4 (UNI) As colours filled the day for a nearly billion Indians on Holi today, for a handful of Nithari families, it was a black day with revellers mocking over their pitiable state.

While the nation was all song and dance in Holi colours, parents and relatives of the victims laid a mock 'seige' to D-5 Nithari village where the two accused -- Moninder Singh Pandher and Surinder Koli-- lived.

They later burnt the effigy of both the accused after beating them with sticks and batons.

Meanwhile, the 'holika dahan' ceremony on the Holi eve, which takes place close to Pandher's house every year, did not happen. Villagers decided to change the venue into a protest zone.

However, it was performed at about 500 metres away from the venue.

As only 16 of the 24 families of the victims lived in Nithari (8 other families lived elsewhere), it was hardly an event worth making a mark. Surprisingly, none of the families wanted to talk about the tragedy today.

Barring a few pockets where the families of the victims lived, life was usual revelry and pomp of Holi at the Nithari village.

People played Holi and participated in all celebrations to mark the occasion.

UNI