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Terror hotbed: Police say some of the terror activities can be traced to Azamgarh File pic |
This was discovered when the Delhi police claimed that the youths picked up after the Jamia Nagar hailed from Azamgarh.
So how have the people of Azamgarh, which occupies 4234 sq km of Uttar Pradesh, reacted to the latest charge that their place is the new breeding ground for terror in India? Interestingly, this place which has 60 per cent Hindus and 40 per cent Muslims, since 1947, has never witnessed a single instance of communal violence.
But today it is being branded as a hotbed for terror activities.
A joint team of Association for Protection of the Civil Rights (APCR), People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR), Janhastkshep and National Confederation of Human Rights Organisation (NCHRO) visited Azamgarh two days ago and found how people of this place were coping with all the latest attention that they have got following the spate of terror strikes in the country.
Mahtab Alam, coordinator of APCR, who was part of the team visiting Azamgarh, spoke about the situation there and how the people have reacted to the latest happenings.
MiD DAY: How is the situation in Azamgarh? How have the people reacted to their place being branded as the cradle of terror?
Mahtab Alam: There is a complete sense of insecurity and gloom. The youth are scared and the parents too are scared to send their children out of their homes today, be it for studies or jobs. Moreover, the residents of Azamgarh are forced by landlords to vacate their rooms . I personally have seen such incidents here in Delhi and Lucknow. Many youth are missing. There is no knowledge of their whereabouts. They are completely shocked and have reacted very sadly to these allegations.
Why do you think the security agencies are making Azamgarh out to be a cradle of terror activities?
The media is equally responsible for hyping up the claims by the police and saying that it has become the nursery for terror. How can one come to such a conclusion? The Hindu-Muslim population ratio is 60:40 and there has not been a single incident of communal violence. This is an indication that there is so much communal harmony in this place and under such circumstances branding it a hub of terror is unfair.
Speaking about the Jamia encounter, the national security advisor said recently that it was through this encounter that the police were able to solve the recent terror strikes in the country. What are your thoughts about it?
I do not know what he wants. Well, if you look at the police statements, they are all contradictory. Even though the police have claimed that they have nabbed the "masterminds" behind the terror attacks, why are so many incidents of terror still taking place in the country?
The Jamia encounter case is with the NHRC at the moment. What is the status?
The NHRC has issued notices to the police department. I am not aware of what else is happening over there. Our demand is for the setting up an independent judicial inquiry headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge.
How are the people of Azamgarh reacting to charges being framed against their people?
The people are scared and definitely agitated. The fear is to such an extent that the people are not even exercising their rights and seeking for autopsy reports through the Right to Information Act. The families of the victims do not even want to sign Vakalatnamas assigning lawyers to fight their case. Various human rights groups have been going to Azamgarh and talking to the people over there and the reaction is pretty much similar as doom seems to have descended upon them. We are trying to convince the people to exercise their rights.
To make it short, we have found that- the people are terrified and there is a lot of insecurity among them i.e. both Hindus and Muslims. The people are losing their faith in security agencies. Lastly, the people are agitated against the trial by media. These matters are really of great concern.
The Muslim youth feel that they are being targeted by security agencies. During your various visits to several places and interaction among the Muslim youth what have you found?
There is anger among some of the youth, but it is not as though all the Muslim youth are agitated. Yes, the levels of insecurity are definitely higher compared to anger. It is not as though these youth will take law into their hands just because they have been wronged. However, I must add that the government has a huge responsibility on its hands. It is the duty of the government to restore the faith of these youth in the law of the land and also our Constitution.
So are you trying to say that there is not a single Muslim involved in terrorism in this country?
I do not have any information of any Muslim being involved in terrorism in this country. Where is the proof? If there is any proof, it should be brought to the court of law. Then, let the law take its own course.
Then who do you think is carrying out all these terror activities in the country?
We are not an investigating agency. It is not our job to tell as to who is involved in terror activities. All we want is that, human and civil rights should be upheld. Fundamental rights of each and every citizen of India should be ensured.
You say that there is no proof against the Muslims. What about Afzal Guru?
See, Afzal was not found to be part of any terrorist outfit, nor did he play any direct role in the same. The Supreme Court noted that there is no direct evidence of his involvement. The evidence was mainly circumstantial.
All three courts including the Supreme Court have acquitted him of the charges under POTA of belonging to either a terrorist organisation or a terrorist gang. Court also noted that the evidence was fabricated. Most importantly, he was not given any worthwhile legal assistance to defend him during interrogation. When Ram Jethmalani offered to be his lawyer, the Hindutva goons attacked his office. The Supreme Court notes, "The incident, which resulted in heavy casualties, had shaken the entire nation and the collective conscience of the society will only be satisfied if capital punishment is awarded to the offender."
