‘Muslim youth should not be implicated in false terror cases’

Criticising the random arrests of Muslims by security agencies in Uttar Pradesh in the name of fighting terrorism, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JEI) has demanded the immediate release of those against whom terror charges have not been proved and who have been languishing in jail for years.

The State government should give the victims compensation, and those behind the “conspiracy” to nail “innocent” Muslims should be punished, the JET said on Sunday.

Reminding the Akhilesh Yadav government of the Samajwadi Party’s poll promises, the Jamaat, in a memorandum, said it should issue a directive to the Anti-Terrorist Squad to not implicate in and arrest Muslim youth on false terrorism charges.

Maulana Jalaluddin Umri, JEI Ameer, advocated unity among Muslims to ensure justice and reminded them of the power of their vote bank. “No political force can ignore the 20 crore Muslims,” he said.

Referring to the regime change in Uttar Pradesh, Maulana Umri said the minority community could not only vote a party to power but also change the government. The JEI wanted justice for all in the country, including other communities like Dalits and women, who had been subjected to atrocities.

“How can the country progress if a section of population lives in constant fear not knowing who will be arrested,” he asked at a convention on the arrest of Muslim youth on terrorism charges organised by the JEI, UP East, here. Relatives of some of the Muslims languishing in Uttar Pradesh jails were presented at the convention.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board vice-president Maulana Syed Kalbe Sadiq said Muslims should not seek an “emotional” solution to their problems. He suggested creation of a think tank, including Muslims and Hindus, along with the adoption of a sound strategy to ensure that a solution was found to the problems of the community.

JEI secretary-general Mohammad Saleem criticised the arrest of Muslim youth and alleged that they were being treated as if they were “citizens of enemy country.”

A list of Muslims in jails in U.P. and other States was submitted to the Akhilesh government, said Magsaysay Award winner Sandeep Pandey. He met the Chief Secretary on Saturday and demanded that an inquiry commission be constituted for conducting a probe and securing their release.

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