Sattar Vohra and Pravin Chunara (R) both of their houses were left completely charred

VADODARA/ANAND: For three consecutive days last week, Anand’s coastal town Khambhat remained on the boil. But in Akbarpura locality, at the epicentre of communal riots in town, these septuagenarians did not let smiles on their face wane despite rioters leaving their houses completely charred.

The decades-old friendship between Sattar Vohra and Pravin Chunara, both in their mid-70s, has remained rock solid despite frequent flare-ups in this sensitive locality.

They have been neighbours since childhood and the rioters set ablaze both their houses. But every riot has only strengthened their bond. Vohra and Chunara blame social media for frequent flare-ups in this sensitive area.

The duo has their residence in Akbarpura area of Khambhat where just a petty argument between kids of Muslims and Chunaras playing on the streets have often snowballed into full-fledged riots that leave several including cops injured.

The recent flare-up which Akbarpura witnessed between members of the two communities was the first time that both Sattar and Pravin lost the only roof they had. But they are helping each other, gathering whatever is left from the charred metal sheets that once provided them shelter.

“As kids we have played ‘kancha’ (marbles) together, shared biscuits from the same packet and snacks that we used to take to school. We have been friends since we were kids and nothing has shaken our bond,” said Pravin, who stays with his nephew at a house just 300 metres away Sattar’s.

Pravin has lost all his documents including ration card, identity cards like election card, aadhar card, clothes, shawls which the rioters set on fire along with the small house where he stayed.

Like him, Sattar too has nothing much left except smoke-blackened tin sheets from the ‘kutcha’ house that the rioters set ablaze.

“It must be a loss of nearly Rs 4 lakh. I had gathered some cash which I was supposed to return for the two buffaloes that I had purchased. But even that has turned into ash,” said Sattar. The cattle was his only source of income.

