The mysterious appearance of an 'X' mark in red colour outside the gates of some Muslim societies in Paldi have got the residents of these societies worried.
They believe it is a way to identify societies that have Muslim residents as the poll battle heats up.
The residents of Delight Flats have sought police protection and detailed investigation into the matter in a complaint to the Election Commission, police commissioner and PI of Paldi police station.
Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain confirmed they have received the mail and it has been sent for due processing.
The letter states that the red 'X' mark appeared on Sunday and similar marks have been put outside entrance of many neighbouring buildings occupied by Muslims. These include Aman colony, Nasheman apartment, Tagore flats, Ashiyana Apartment etc.
"Such marks have left many Muslims in shock and fear as it seems to be done by someone to identify Muslim-living area," states the letter.
"Gujarat elections have already been declared and such activities marking buildings of particular community is causing insecurity among dwellers and increases chances of communal clash," the letter states.
It further requests the authorities to take the matter seriously and provide them police protection.
City police commissioner AK Singh said initial probe has revealed that the marks were made by AMC workers of the sanitation department for identifying houses from where garbage was collected.
Incidentally, an AMC official that DNA talked to rubbish the claims. "To begin with, whenever AMC wants to identify a society for any particular reason, it puts up a sticker. Moreover, the practice of putting marks on society gates was long discarded. It seems to be the handiwork of someone keen to create mischief," said the official who works closely with the sanitation section. He refused to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
