They fled after the February 28 massacre, after the attack on the Akshardham temple. On December 12, Naroda Patiya in Ahmedabad will witness the forced, fear-driven migration of families all over again: several of them have decided to pack up their bags, ink their fingers, and then move to ‘‘safer’’ locations on polling day.‘‘There is no doubt that we are going to cast our vote,’’ says Akbar Khan. ‘‘But as soon as we do that, my family will move to Shahpur and will return only after the new government is formed. Anything can happen in between.’’ There’s no comfort in the khaki ring that has been thrown around the area, where at least 90 Muslims were killed on February 28. Ninety Border Security Force personnel and a section each of the Border Wing and State Reserve Police Force have been posted here for their protection but they’re still running scared.Before February 28, 1,350-odd families had made Naroda-Patiya their home. Only 886 families dared to return since. Mohammad Hussain, who was shot at during the riots, says, ‘‘Last time, I was lucky to have survived. Who knows what will happen the next time? I and my family will move in with our relatives after casting our vote. We will return only after we are satisfied that it’s safe.’’ The 32-year-old has a family of eight, and is the only earning member. Nargisbanu Abdul Rahim adds, ‘‘We will vote . At the same time, we will lock our houses and shift to a safer place until the new government is in power.’’ Where will she go? ‘‘We’ll first seek shelter with our relatives. If we don’t find a place there, we’ll go to Shah Alam Dargah, where we went during the riots.’’Those who are choosing to stay back say they’re tired of fleeing, tired of leaving what has been their home for years. ‘‘Where will we go? We were born here, if we have to die here, nobody can save us. But if we keep on running like chickens then there will hardly be any place left for us,’’ says Naziabanu, who lost 19 of her family members.
