SIMI wants a new name<br/>

Believes it will help carry out terror activities in secrecy

SIMI wants a new name<br/>

Believes it will help carry out terror activities in secrecy

The arrest of four activists of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has revealed that the banned organisation wants to change its name, so that it becomes easier to carry out their illegal activities.

Thirty SIMI members held a meeting in a mosque in Maana village, Akola, on Sunday night. Praveen Kumar Padwal, superintendent of police, Akola, said, "Several other members escaped and an enquiry is underway."

The Murtizapur police in Akola district nabbed the four activists during a nakabandi after the meeting.

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Booked

The police suspected they were SIMI activists after banned Arabic literature was found on them. They have been booked under Unlawful Prevention Act and will remain in custody till July 29.

Mumbai's Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) is expected to question them. ATS chief K P Raghuvanshi, said, "The four have revealed information about their accomplices and our team will interrogate them about their motives.
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It is known that this organisation holds secret meetings."

What is Simi?

SIMI is an Islamic organisation that was formed in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, in April 1977.

Its founding president was Mohammad Ahmadullah Siddiqi. The organisation was banned in 2002 for its involvement in terrorist attacks in India.
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In August 2008, a special tribunal lifted the ban on SIMI, but the SC reinstated the ban on August 6, 2008.
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It is believed that SIMI has been infiltrated by the al-Qaeda and also operates under the name of Indian Mujahideen the outfit that took responsibility for the Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Delhi blasts in 2008.

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