By TCN Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: Strongly condemning the illegal detention and arrest of Muslim youths in the name of terror probe, Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday announced to launch mass movement against these arrests in the country. He said that what is happening with Muslims is heart rendering and it should be condemned.
Accompanied with members of some arrested youths, Rajya Sabha MP and former union minister Paswan was addressing a press conference at his official residence here on 18th June. He categorically said that Supreme Court guidelines regarding arrest and detention are being brazenly violated in terror probes.
“What is happening with Muslims is heart rendering,” said Paswan.
Asked how all of a sudden ATS from other states started picking Muslim youths from Bihar in different terror cases, Paswan said: Before November 2011 none had heard about Bihar in terror cases. First Forbesganj police firing happened in June 2011 in which four unarmed villagers including an infant and a pregnant woman were killed. And then youths were picked in terror cases. These incidents point to the influence of Sangh Parivar on the state JDU-BJP government. Karnataka also has BJP government. Nitish says the state police is not informed about the arrest. Who knows his government is conniving with Karnataka police.
Ram Vilas Paswan along with party leaders Abdul Khalique and Amanatullah Khan addressing a press conference on illegal detention of Muslim youths in Delhi on 18th June 2012
At the press conference, Paswan, who comes from Bihar, announced to launch a mass movement against the illegal arrests of innocent Muslim youths in Bihar and other states. “We will hold public demonstrations in Darbhanga, Patna and Delhi. We will gherao Parliament in the coming Monsoon Session,” he said.
Referring to the case of Mohd Amir Khan, who spent 14 years in jail in terror cases until he was acquitted in all cases, Paswan asked the government to set up fast track courts for terror cases and dispose each case in one year. Guilty should be punished but for the prosecution of innocents, police officers should be prosecuted and punished.
“I demand the government to put terror cases in fast-track courts which will dispose the case in one year. If police have not strong evidence against someone he should be released on bail. Investigation officers should be prosecuted for prosecuting innocents. We have not seen prosecution of officers. Only prosecution of guilty officers can keep them from repeating the mistake,” said Paswan.
Family members of some victims and some victims themselves told their stories to the media.
Recalling the murder of Mohammad Qateel Siddiqui in Pune jail, Mohd. Amir Khan said: “I also faced murderous attacks in jail. When life is in high security jail is not safe, then one can guess about those outside. I urge PM to introduce rehabilitation package for the innocents who were acquitted after years and years in jail in terror cases. The PM should also ensure that SC guidelines about arrest are followed in terror cases also.”
Fasih’s wife Nikhat Perween said: One month has passed since my husband was picked from home in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. I have no information where he is now. Where is my husband? Why isn’t government looking for him?
On this Paswan said he will meet External Affairs Minister SM Krishna over the issue of Fasih Mahmood. Fasih was picked from his home in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia on 13th May but his whereabouts is still unknown.