By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Lucknow: On the 100th day of the ongoing dharna of Rihai Manch, on August 29 demonstrators will march to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.
Since May 20 Rihai Manch (Forum for the Release of Innocent Muslims imprisoned in the name of Terrorism) is on indefinite dharna demanding arrest of police officers involved in Khalid Mujahid’s murder, issuing the RD Nimesh commission report and action report, and the immediate release of innocent Muslim youth imprisoned in the name of terrorism.
CPIM leader Subhasini Ali, senior journalist Anil Chamadia, Mohammad Salim of Muslim Conference, among others will participate in the demonstration on the 100th day.
Chairman of the Rihai Manch, Advocate Mohamamd Shoaib said that for over three months protesters have stood scorching summer heat and heavy monson rain and they will stand firm till their demands are met with.
On the occasion of Eid, Rihai Manch had organised a public hearing on the theme “where are the pride sons of the nation” on the 67th Independence Day outside the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, where family members of those Muslim youths who have been behind bar on ‘fabricated’ terror changes, where they pleaded for justice.
Khalid had died under mysterious circumstances on his way back from Faizabad near Ram Sanehi Ghat on May 18. He was declared brought dead by the doctors at district hospital in Barabanki. Later, on the complain of his uncle Zahir Alam Falahi, a case was registered against 42 police officers including former DGP Vikram Singh, ADG Brijlal and others who were on duty during the time of Khalid’s arrest.
Khalid along with Tariq Qasmi was arrested by Special Task Force (STF) on 20 December 2007 from Barabanki. Huge explosives were also shown as recovered from his possession. STF claimed that he was involved in the serial blasts which occurred in Gorakhpur, Faizabad and Lucknow. Later, Nimesh Commission was constituted headed by Justice R D Nimesh who in its report raised fingers over STF’s claim about the place of arres.
Khalid’s family and civil society groups are demanding CBI probe into Khalid’s custodial death and has compared his case with the fake encounter of Ishrat Jahan by the Gujarat Police. They have also questioned the role of the IB.
Rihai Manch is leading a sustained demonstration against the UP government for last three months now demanding actions on its poll promise of releasing innocent youths languishing in jails in fabricated terror charges.
Several rights groups and and politicians, including Prakash Karat, Subhasini Ali, film maker Anand Patwardhan, Anusha Rizvi, among others have also expressed their solidarity with the Manch demonstration and on different days made token participation.
Related:
Rihai Manch dharna completes 3 months