By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net,
Hyderabad: The scenes of 2007 are seemed to be back in Hyderabad where a series of terror arrests from the city brought anxiety in the minds of people. Muslim youths have a bitter experience of mid 2007 after the Mecca Masjid bomb blasts hundreds of Muslim youths were rounded up and tortured and 32 of them got booked for terror conspiracy case and spent time in jail for nearly two years.
Muslim youths who have had bitter experience with the police in terror arrests have now lost their sleep. One such person, who was arrested in Mecca Masjid bomb blast case, spent 2 years in jail but later acquitted and even got 3 lakh compensation spoke to TwoCircles.net on the fear among Muslim youths who were ones been picked up in terror cases, on the condition of anonymity. He said “There is a general fear among terror acquitted youths that they are again going to be arrested or least going to be called for interrogation by the police. My parents are calling me in every half an hour even when I am at my work.”
Junaid was one of the 32 who got arrested for Mecca Masjid blast case but later acquitted.
“I afraid to travel alone in the nights, last time city police arrested me in the night when I was returning back to home from work, and put me in illegal; custody for seven days. I am keeping someone with me when I am travelling for my night duty.”
He also said, “Other youths who spent time with me jail on false terror cases are contacting me or I am contacting them to know the developments, as far as I know every former terror accused or acquittal is keeping their fingers crossed.”
Now sense of fear that was palpable on the streets in old city of Hyderabad is those days are coming back to haunt many more Muslim youths this time, as Bangalore police is revealing on daily basis new links of Hyderabad with Bangalore alleged assassination terror plot, local police is preparing for a house check in their jurisdiction.
Till now CCB of Bangalore police who is investigating the case has come up with three assertions which have linked the whole terror plot to Hyderabad. First was the arrest of 21 year old B.COM student Obaidur Rahman from the city a day after the Bangalore crackdown, next was Mohammad Akram Pasha arrested two days back who according to the Hyderabad and Bangalore police visited Hyderabad for a brief period and taken a flight to Saudi Arab from here.
The latest claim as reported in many mainstream newspapers that Mohd Abdul Majeed from Hyderabad now in Saudi Arabia is the handler of the alleged Assassination gang. Abdul Majeed was earlier made kingpin of mecca masjid blast but was later acquitted by the court. After the acquittal police claim Abdul Majeed fled to Saudi Arabia but according to Majeed father city police themselves forced him to leave the Hyderabad.
With the recent developments, new emerging links of whole alleged terror plot with Hyderabad and possible arrest of Muslim youths have now brought an environment of fear. Police Commissioner have given assurance in the recent press conference that no innocent will be arrested but he also said special team have been formed to investigate the matter and to take custody of Obaidur Rahhman and Akram Pasha from Bangalore police to get more leads.
Active and thrilled local Police informers wandering in the streets and civil dressed police officers with wireless kits on many parts of the old city is creating panic among the residents. Reportedly some police informers are even spreading rumors like that Hyderabad police is going to make major round of arrests from Thursday, keeping Muslim youths on their nerve.
Muslim in the areas like Baba Nagar (where Obaidur Rahhman was arrested), Sayeedabad, Madanapet, Kalapather and in other parts of old city Muslims are much worried as Ganesh festival and global biodiversity meet in the city is around the corner and police is no mood to take any chances.
Another young man who was friend with Obaidur rehman and wants to keep his identity anonymous told TCN that he lives in fear every day. He said, “Every single man who have contacts with Obaid is now fearing that police might arrest them for interrogation, everyone knows infamous stories of torture by police on Muslim youths and no one wants to suffer that pain.” He further said, “My parents have cancelled my night tuitions and are not allowing me to stay out of home for long hours they are more afraid then me.”