3 post-Godhra riot case accused held; 1 absconding

Godhra, Gujarat, May 20 (UNI) Three people, allegedly involved in the Panderwada massacre during the post-Godhra violence of 2002 in Gujarat, have been arrested, while one of the co-accused remains at large.

According to police, Ramanbhai Shankar Patel (58), Rajanibhai Manilal Panchal (36) and Kantibhai Mathurbhai Panchal (28) were arrested yesterday, after an identification parade of 25 people was carried out before an executive magistrate of Lunawada town.

''The accused had allegedly killed Dulhanbibi Ashrafbhai (68), Habib bhai (55) and Bismillah Habib (20) during the post-Godhra violence in March 2002,'' a senior police officer told UNI.

''Dulhanbibi's son Mustafa Ashraf and Jabir Kalubhai Sheikh pointed out the accused in the identification parade,'' said the officer.

''Rameshbhai Chhanabhai Damor (35), who was also named among the accused, is absconding,'' said the officer.

In Panderwada, one of the most gruesome post-Godhra incidents, 12 people were killed in March 2002. Several people have been arrested during the five identification parades carried out so far.

The communal violence was unleashed after 59 ''kar sevaks'' were killed inside the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express after it was attacked by a mob, allegedly consisting of Muslims on February 27, 2002 at Godhra railway station in Panchmahals.

UNI