By TCN News,
Lucknow: In the wake of the suspected invovlement of the Intelligence Bureau's special director, senior IPS officer Rajendra Kumar in the Ishrat Jahan fake encoutnter case, Rihai Manch (Forum for the Release of Innocent Muslims imprisoned in the name of Terrorism) has demanded awhite paper from the central govenrment on IB’s involvenment in all the terrorr cases in the country.
Rihai Manch 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.
The suspected involvement of senior IB officers in the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case as given credence to the involvement of intelligence officials in terror cases and botched up investigations that often wrongly arrested Muslim youths. Family members of Khalid Mujahid and civil rights groups have been questioning the role of intelligence officials in Khalid and Tariq Qasmi’s arrest as well. Today Manch spokspersons demanded a white paper from the UPA government on the role of the IB.
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.
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 they were 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’s family and civil right groups believe that he was murdered by police to protect those involved in his ‘wrongful’ arrest. Rihai Manch had been leading a sustained movement for justice for last 42 days. Several rights groups and individuals have expressed their support and took token participation in the demonstration.