Woman who saved Muslims in riots hoists flag in Bihar

Commoner Shail Devi, who saved the lives of 10 Muslims during the communal clashes in Muzaffarpur district earlier this month, hoisted the national flag at the state Congress headquarter here Monday.

In the presence of Bihar Pradesh Congress president Ashok Choudhary and a number of senior party leaders, including former ministers and legislators, Shail Devi was invited to unfurl the tricolour at Sadaquat Ashram, the state Congress office.

"It was a matter of honour and pride for a poor woman like me that the Congress party has provided me this opportunity," Shail Devi, clad in a new white cotton sari and a woollen shawl gifted by the Congress party, told IANS here.

Choudhary said the Congress decided to honour Shail Devi who, he said, was an example of communal harmony.

Shail Devi, a frail Hindu widow in her early 50s, risking her life gave shelter to her Muslim neighbours when a mob of more than 5,000 people attacked Azizpur Bahilwara village after a 20-year-old Hindu boy's body was found Jan 18.

He was allegedly abducted and killed over his love affair with a Muslim girl.

After her action came to light, she became the most sought after woman.

"I provided shelter to my Muslim neighbours to save their lives because the mob would have killed them," she had said then.