When Zaheer woke up to a loud bang around nine years ago, he had never imagined that the fateful day would paint Batla House in an eternal shade of mistrust and suspicion.
As he peered outside his balcony, armed men gestured him to go inside. Scared and worried, the 35-year-old tour operator trotted his way inside.
Around seven in the morning, we woke up to gunshots. On looking out, I saw two gypsys being parked right into the ground area of L18. The vehicles left in 15 minutes, after which the sound of gunfire poured in from all directions.Zaheer, Eyewitness
Batla House Encounter Killed Two Suspected Terrorists & a Police Officer
According to the Delhi Police, on 19 September 2008, Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma walked through the lanes of Batla House and reached L18, located right at the corner of the street.
The Special Cell Inspector was reportedly unarmed, when he knocked at the door of flat number 108, which the police claims was a hideout for members of the Indian Mujahideen, involved in the 2008 Delhi blasts.
An alleged encounter at the address led to the death of Atif Ameen and Mohd Sajid. Inspector Sharma, who led ‘Operation Batla House,’ succumbed to bullet injuries, after reportedly being shot at by Shahzad Ahmad – who, police says, had fled the spot and was later arrested from Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh.
Cast In the Mould of Terror
Nine years later, Batla House continues to live, not only in the horror of the encounter but also under a widely-held stereotype, that has made life for its residents difficult.
On an early September morning, Sadiq Khan sweats profusely as he talks about the encounter. He lives a few lanes away from L-18 and had joined onlookers as police vehicles went in and out of narrow lanes.
When he mentioned Batla House as his address, his interviewers were shocked. They then questioned him further, sought details of the infamous encounter and displayed a sense of disdain. Sadiq was rejected.
Lanes away from Sadiq, 21-year-old Saad Ahmad too has faced the brunt of being a Batla House resident. Recently, the MBA student was turned down by two consecutive auto-rickshaws, who refused him a ride to Batla House.
When he confronted the second driver, Mini-Pakistan Jana hai kya? (You want me to take you to Mini Pakistan?) came the reply.
Pizza too shies away from coming here. Whenever Sadiq tries ordering over the phone, pizza outlets say his “area is not serviceable.”
No Place for Students From Azamgarh?
The rumblings of Batla House travelled to Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh, home to the suspected Indian Mujahideen operatives, Atif Ameen and Mohammed Sajid.
Students from the town in UP say people look at them with differing yet unfailing sense of suspicion.
Ever since the encounter, scholars have found it difficult to find rented accommodation in New Delhi, and at times, even in the pre-dominantly Muslim neighborhood of Jamia Nagar.
Shakir, a final year student at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) was denied accommodation when he cited his roots in Azamgarh. Ever since, finding a residence has been a constant source of worry for him.
A farrago of gloom and joy takes over Umar Khan as he recounts his first day at a Lucknow school. Years ago, the final year MA student at JMI had just introduced himself as a native of Azamgarh, when his classmates reacted with shock.
Shocked and Startled, they asked me if I really was from Azamgarh. I responded with full confidence. But deep inside, the incident left me feeling dejected.Umar Khan, Student
Can Batla House Battle Recover From a Nine-Year-Old Scar?
But Batla House isn’t really willing to hold on to its old identity. Many say they should leave events of the past and think of building a new, bright future.
Camera by Athar Rather & Akansha Singh
Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
Reported & Produced by Anthony Sanu Rozario
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