By Najiya O., TwoCircles.net,
Kochi: Muslim organizations of Erattupetta area in Ernakulam vowed to fight against the state terror meted out to the Muslim-majority place in the Kottayam district of Kerala. The organizations held a protest dharna under the banner of Muslim Ekopana Samithi (a committee of Muslim organizations) yesterday evening in Erattupetta.
Thousands took part in the dharna to protest against the police attempts to portray the place as the hub of terror.
Seven members of a family were taken into police custody after raiding their houses at 3 am on Tuesday (14th July). They were taken by the police for questioning in connection with the blasts in the Ernakulam Collectorate that took place on 10th of this month. The people were released the next day itself after the police failed to find any evidence against them. The police are also carrying out widespread searches in the area in connection with the blasts.
The dharna expressed its displeasure in the police act of taking people in custody at nights by rounding their houses, even though the same people could be seen in front in day time. It conveyed the annoyance of the people in the police act of creating an atmosphere of fear and terror by entering any house at any time in the name of terror-hunt.
The people vowed to defend any force that tries to create problems in the society, even if it is the government itself. They pledged to strive to bring forward a generation that will work for the social good, keeping strong faith in God and nationalism.
The dharna began at the Al Madeena Nagar near the Nainar Masjid with prayer. Muhammed Sakkeer, chairman, Muslim Ekopana Samithi, delivered the key-note address. He said that Erattupetta was a model town where Muslims, Hindus and Christians live in love and peace. The place has signs of nationalism and communal harmony. He also urged people to alienate those who tried to spread the poison of terrorism and communalism.
The anti-secularist moves of the police is dangerous and the government should control the police realizing this, said Muhammed Nadeer Moulvi, chairman, Imams’ Council, in his introductory speech.
It is not right on the part of a just government to insult and threaten a community in the shadow of terror, said PC George, MLA. I can say that there are no terrorists in Erattupetta where I was born and brought up. I won’t allow the police to take away the innocent people. I will take people to police if they inform me who they need, added Mr George.
PM Rasheed, secretary, Nainar Masjid Committee, KE Pareeth and KK Sali, president and secretary, respectively, of the Puthenpalli Jama’ath Committee, Naser Kallar and Saleem Kinattinmooottil, president and secretary, respectively, of the Muhyidheen Masjid and VP Zubair Moulvi, Ismael Moulvi and Younus Moulvi (imams) spoke at the function.
Meanwhile, the State Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said in the state Assembly that instructions have been given to the police not to act as though the people of Erattupetta are terrorists. The government is looking at the bomb blast in the Ernakulam Collectorate with due seriousness. The enquiry is based on similar incidents and the accused in them. Those taken in police custody as part of the enquiry have been released after questioning, he added. Mr Balakrishnan was answering the submission of PC George, MLA.