A candle vigil was organized in the evening paying homage to Khalid Mujhaid.
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Lucknow: Rihai Manch (Forum for the Release of Innocent Muslims imprisoned in the name of Terrorism) today started an indefinite dharna outside the state Assembly, demanding arrest of police officers involved in Khalid Mujahid's murder.
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.
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.
On the complain of his uncle Zahir Alam Falahi, a case was registered on Sunday morning 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.
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.
They also raised the issue of attack by lawyers in Faizabad on Advocate Mohammed Salim, an associate of Advocate Jamal Ahmed, who was lawyer of Khalid Mujahid in Faizabad case. Attackers had also ransacked chambers of Advocate Shakilur Rehman,Jamal Ahmed and Nadeem Ahmed.
Condeming the attack, Rihai Manch has demanded the arrests of hooligans of SP, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Yuva Vahini and BJP who were responsible for attack. Spokesperson of the Rihai Manch has blamed the Samajwadi Party for encouraging the communal elements to prevent oppositions and demonstrations in support of ‘martyr’ Khalid Mujahid.
President of Rihai Manch Advocate Mohammad Shoaib, National President of Indian national League mohammad Suleman, General Secretary of Rihai Manch, former IG SR Darapuri, Magsaysay awarded social worker Sanddep Pandey, Asad Hayat of Awami Council, Rajeev Yadav and Shahnwaz Alam of Rihai Manch among others participated in the protest.
In the evening a candle vigil was organized paying homage to Khalid Mujahid.
Rajeev Yadav of Rihai Manch told TCN, "We will use different methods of protest in the coming days as well and continue or dharna till our demands of sacking and arresting the erring cops are met."