By TCN News,
Lucknow: Several women activists and representatives’ of women groups participated in Rihai Manch dharna outside the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on June 25, demanding justice for Khalid Mujahid. Demosntrators today put a black band commemorating the anniversary of Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975 on the same day.
Rihai Manch (Forum for the Release of Innocent Muslims imprisoned in the name of Terrorism) is on indefinite dharna outside the UP Assembly since May 20 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.
State president of All India Progressive Women Association, Tahira Hassan said that this struggle is not just for Khalid Mujahid but for all the deprived section if the society and against those state machinery and intelligence officials who prosecute and harass innocent minorities, tribals and other downtrodden in the name of security.
Rihai Manch had invited and appealed to women organisations and activists to come in support on 25th June to extend their support. Rihai Manch spokespersons have drawn comparison between the fake encounter case in Gujarat and arbitrary arrest of Muslim youths like Khalid Mujahid.
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 arrest.
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.
Rihai Manch is leading a sustained demonstration against the UP government for last 34 days demanding actions on its poll promise of releasing innocent youths languishing in jails in fabricated terror charges. Several rights groups and individuals have also expressed their solidarity with the Manch demonstration and on different days made token participation.