'Maha Dharna' against Alair encounter

Hyderabad, June 13 (INN): "We will not rest unless the Telangana Government orders a judicial probe into the Alair encounter," said Samajwadi Party Maharashtra unit President and MLA Abu Asim Azmi.

Addressing the 'Maha Dharna' at Indira Park on Saturday, Abu Asim Azmi described the killing of five Muslim under trials at Alair of Nalgonda district on April 7 as "cold blood murder" and a part of conspiracy by the communal forces to instill fear among the minorities. "All five youth were handcuffed, chained and seated in van. The police theory of encounter is illogical and insane. We are not ready to buy the contention that Muslim youth were killed in their bid to escape from police custody. We will ensure that all policemen who are responsible for the act are arrested and sent to jail," he said. He expressed confidence that the guilty cops would meet the same fate as it happened in the case of Ishrath Jahan and Sohrabuddin fake encounter.

The All Party Maha Dharna was jointly organised by the Majlis Bachau Tahreek and Samajwadi Party.

The SP leader gave multiple examples of how Muslim youth sacrificed their lives for the country. However, he said some communal forces have been trying to highlight the entire Muslim community in a negative manner while implicating some youth in fake cases. "We want to launch a national movement demanding release of all innocents who are lodged in different jails of the country in various fake cases," he announced.

Abu Asim Azmi said it was true that Viqar and other youth were facing some charges. However, none of them were pronounced guilty by the court. "We ensured a free and fair trial for established terrorists like Ajmal Kasab and hanged them on court orders. We would not have objected if Viqar and his associates were convicted to death by a court of law. But we cannot allow police to kill innocent Muslim youth, even if they are facing any charges," he said.

The SP leader demanded that the Telangana Government order a probe through a sitting judge of the High Court and pay compensation of Rs. 20 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed in fake encounter at Alair. He said that the Samajwadi Party wrote a letter to Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao giving sufficient time for him to react on the demands. "KCR must be under the impression that the entire Muslim community is under sleep mode. We will prove him wrong. If we are weak in Telangana, then we will gherao KCR during his Delhi visit. All justice loving people of Uttar Pradesh will lay seize to Delhi whenever KCR visits the national capital. We will not rest until justice is done," he said.

Abu Asim Azmi also slammed Owaisi brothers for their silence over Alair encounter. "Why Akbaruddin and Asaduddin Owasi did not visit the homes of those killed in Alair encounter. They claim to be national leaders, but have no guts to fight the State Government in their home town. Hyderabad gave them the identity and power which they possess. Except for making tall claims and provocative speeches, they do nothing to fight for justice for the community," he said.

The Maha Dharna was also addressed by SP's Telangana unit president Jagadish Yadav, MBT President Dr Khayam Khan, Moulana Naseeruddin, Syed Tariq Quadri, Lateef Mohammed Khan, Syed Hamed Hussain Shattari of Sunni Ulema Board, Abdul Sattar Mujahid of Muslim League, Majeedullah Khan Farhat and Amjedullah Khan of MBT and other leaders.

The family members of those killed in the encounter also addressed the Maha Dharna. Syed Ahmed, father of Viqaruddin who was killed in the encounter, alleged that the State Government was influencing the police and judiciary to avoid a free probe into the encounter. "When the court can order a probe into the killing of 20 red sandalwood cutters, why my son's murder in a fake encounter cannot be probed?" he asked. Syed Imtiaz, brother of Syed Amjad Ali who was killed in encounter, also demanded a judicial probe and said that the families of all five victims were ready to fight the case till justice is done.

The SP and MBT leaders also organised a massive public meeting on Alair encounter at Chanchalguda Junior College Grounds in the Old City on Friday night. Despite rains, large number of people attended the public meeting which went on till past midnight.

Addressing the meeting earlier, MBT leader Majeedullah Khan Farhat announced that the MBT would launch a massive agitation after Ramzan over the issues of Alair encounter.