Thasleem's Arrest A Ploy To Drag On Bangalore Blast Case Indefinitely: Jagadish Chandra
Press Release
10 December, 2015
Countercurrents.org
Kannur: Prominent human right activist Jagadish Chandra said that the government is trying to defer the Bangalore bomb blast case indefinitely. He was inaugurating the protest rally organized by Solidarity Youth Movement against the arrest of Thasleem by Kerala police from Kannur alleging connection with Bangalore bomb blast. The illegal arrest and charging of UAPA against Thasleem is part of conspiracy to defer the trial of 50 accused persons including Abdul Naser Maudany. He also urged to extend the struggles against draconian laws to nation level.
Solidarity state president T. Shakir condemned the silence and nonchalance of the civil society over the case of thousands of innocent youths languishing behind the bars under trial. He said that the silence of civil society helps state terrorism. He said strong protests against UAPA and other draconian laws are needed.
Thasleem, a youth of Kadalayi Village of Kannur district was arrested by Kerala police on 16th November 2015. He was arrested alleging that he tried to influence the witness of Bangalore bomb blast case. Thasleem's brother of Sharafuddin is an under-trial prisoner in Bangalore bomb blast case. Sharafuddin was arrested allegedly for helping Thadiyantavida Naseer and Abdul Raheem to carry materials required for the bomb blast in the goods-vehicle he runs. But Sharafuddin had clearly said that he knows nothing about Naseer. Moreover, accoding to Adv. Balan, the advocate of Sharafuddin, Karnataka police has not so far been able to produce sufficient proofs to justify their charges.
Sharafuddin as the elder son was the bread winner of the family. Financial constraints followed with marriages of sisters and daily livelihood, he could not realize a home of his own. He was running a hired good's vehicle for sustenance. Sharafuddin's wife, daughter and a son are now living in a rented house. The family is facing severe hardship due to expenses towards education of the children and the court case.
Thasleem was the sole bread winner of this family in the absence of Sharafuddin. Now police has arrested Thasleem also. He is charged with UAPA. The state has chosen an innocent youth, who has been the shelter of the already aggrieved family, to be its prey.
Most of the witness produced in bomb blast case has denied the claims of the prosecution. Supreme Court has several times decreed to finish the trials at the earliest. Prominent human right activists and lawyers of the country have observed that most of the accused in the Bangalore bomb blast case are innocents. In this situation, the state is trying to topple the case procedures by fabricating new stories. Thasleem's arrest is a part of this move. This move is also to intimidate the activists and the movements who stand up to state terrorism, said T. Shakir.
The arrest of Thasleem was done by Kerala police. There is nothing as wrong if one doubts this is an agenda of Ommen Chandy government to topple the release of the under-trials of Bangalore blast case.
Government should release Thasleem immediately. Otherwise civil society will be compelled to stage strong protest against the state’s hunt against minorities, T. Shakir said.
Welfare Party state committee member T. Mohammed delivered the key-note address. Prominent documentary film maker KPSasi, poet KC Umesh Babu, Maktab daily editor Sunil Maktab, Shafeek ‘s– an accused in Bangalore blast case- brother Saheer and others spoke. State secretary SadiqUliyil welcomed all. District president KK Firoz said vote of thanks.