“The government is using ‘indefinite’ delaying tactics, but even we are adamant and will continue dharna till our demands are met with,” said Chairman of the Rihai Manch Advocate Mohammad Shoaib.
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Lucknow: The indefinite dharna of Rihai Manch (Forum for the Release of Innocent Muslims imprisoned in the name of Terrorism) outside the UP Assembly completed two months today.
Since May 20 Rihai Manch 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.
Speaking to TwoCircles.net, Chairman of the Rihai Manch Advocate Mohammad Shoaib said, “The SP government has become arrogant and has not bothered to even have any talks with the protesters.” When asked that two months have passed and since there has been no progress in the case, for how long they plan to continue the dharna, he said, “The government is using ‘indefinite’ delaying tactics, but even we are adamant and will continue dharna till our demands are met with,” adding that they will continue with the dharna till the Assembly session begins and will decide on future course of action, based on what action government takes on the RD Nimesh Commission report.
Yesterday, Rihai Manch had alleged that the UP police razed the tent at the dharna site on Thursday night, forcing the demonstrators to clean the site themselves after heavy rain for sitting and prayer. Magsasay award winner Sandeep Pandey has condemned the UP police action and said that such actions by UP government will only strengthen the protesters resolve to fight for justice.
A Rihai Manch spokesperson has said that the UP government is getting frustrated at the Manch’ sustained struggle and hence stooping so low, adding that this may prove the begining of the downfall of the SP government in the state.
On Wednesday, they had demanded from the government to make call details of ADG Law & Order & other police officers involved in the ‘çonspiracy’ in the arrest and death of Khalid Mujahid to be made public.
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 two demanding actions on its poll promise of releasing innocent youths languishing in jails in fabricated terror charges. As the holy month of Ramadan is in progress, Manch also makes arrangements for iftar and prayers.
Several rights groups and and politicians, including Prakash Karat, Subhasini Ali and other left leaders have also expressed their solidarity with the Manch demonstration and on different days made token participations.