By TCN News,
Lucknow: On its second day of indefinite protest outside the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Rihai Manch (Forum for the Release of Innocent Muslims imprisoned in the name of Terrorism) has accused the Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party government of speaking the language of the ‘communal’ Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP).
From yesterday Rihai Manch is on indefinite dharna outside the state Assembly, demanding termination and arrest of police officers involved in Khalid Mujahid’s murder. Khalid’s uncle, Zahir Alam Falahi has filed a case against 42 police officers including former DGP Vikram Singh, ADG Brijlal and others who were on duty during the time of Khalid’s arrest for murder and conspiracy.
Rihai Manch alleged that the government is trying to protect the police officers in involved in ‘illegal’ arrest of Khalid Mujahid and those involved in conspiracy for his custodial death.
Rihai Manch has announced that in coming days they will gherao the Muslim legislatures and ministers to press for their demand. Protesters warned that those clergies believed to be closer to the ruling SP government, should be careful to face the consequences if they try to hinder the protest.
Tomorrow, on third day of protest, Manch plans to hold ‘black day’ across state by putting black band. yesterday evening they held a candle vigil as well.
Khalid had fainted on his way at Barabanki on Saturday, according to police and was taken to District Hospital, Barabanki where he was declared brought dead by the doctors. Autopsy report has been inconclusive in finding out the reason for death. However, photographs taken before his body was taken for the autopsy, accessed by TCN, clearly show torture marks on the face and blood clots.
Speaking to TCN, his uncle Zaheer Alam Falahi, who saw the dead body in the hospital, confirmed that although his nephew was quite fair, his face appeared to have turned black and that his neck was swollen as if someone twisted it. There were blood marks as well on face, and ankle, elbow, etc had turned black.
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.
Government has earlier claimed that Khalid had fainted on his way back and that he might have died due to heart attack or heat stroke. However, photographs taken before his body was taken for the autopsy, clearly show torture marks on the face and blood clots. Speaking to TCN, his uncle Zaheer Alam Falahi, who saw the dead body in the hospital, confirmed that although his nephew was quite fair, his face appeared to have turned black and that his neck was swollen.
There were blood marks as well on his face, and ankle, elbow, etc had turned black, he added. His family members and rights groups believe that he was murdered by police to protect those involved in his ‘wrongful’ arrest.
In sudden move, Akhilesh Yadav led UP government on Tuesday suspended nine policemen who accompanied Khalid Mujahid while escorting him from Faizabad to Lucknow Jail on Saturday. These suspended 9 police officers are different from these 42 policemen. Earlier UP government has ordered for a CBI enquiry into the causes of death as even the autopsy report was inconclusive in finding out the exact cause of death.
Speakers also warned that the SP government cannot make a community fool any longer by giving false promises.