'Bhatkal's Muslims are not terrorists'

Community leaders criticise Mumbai ATS for arresting Abdul Samad Bhatkal in a public meeting; term it a conspiracy to give town a bad name

Community leaders criticise Mumbai ATS for arresting Abdul Samad Bhatkal in a public meeting; term it a conspiracy to give town a bad name

Taking strong exception to the arrest of Abdul Samad by the Mumbai ATS, community leaders in Bhatkal advised youth in a public function yesterday to keep in touch with their family members at all times and avoid contact with strangers and suspicious elements.

This, the leaders say, would keep the youth safe from becoming victims of a conspiracy to trap youth from Bhatkal.

Bhatkal became infamous after Riyaz Bhatkal and his brother Iqbal were charged for their alleged involvement in a series of terror attacks in several parts of the country.

"Parents were also advised to maintain regular contact with their wards as the police have been targeting the Bhatkal youth unnecessarily," said a community leader who did not want to be named.

Hinting at a larger conspiracy, Azeez Barni, group editor, Rastriya Sahara, a national Urdu daily said,u00a0 "Communal forces are targeting the innocent youth of Bhatkal, especially those who have been living in Gulf countries.
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It is also unfortunate that the media is not doing its job. Bhatkal's Muslims follow Islam. They are not terrorists to follow practices that bring their religion and community a bad name."

Bami added that Bhatkal's Muslims practised peace, harmony and humanity. "The town is wrongly being projected as a terrorist hub.

We must all courageously face pranks played by communal forces and ensure they do not affect our daily life," Bami said.

It may be recalled that Bhatkal became infamous after Riyaz Bhatkal and his brother Iqbal Bhatkal, said to be the founder of the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen, were charged for the alleged involvement in a series of terror attacks in Bangalore, Gujarat and other parts of the country.

The duo continues to be at large. Riyaz Bhatkal, who is believed to be holed up in Dubai, is the brother of Samad, who was recently arrested by the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

Samad is being accused by the Mumbai ATS of supplying three Chinese-made revolvers to Haji Imran, Suleiman Mahmood and Afzal Sheikh last year.

The three were members of the Chhota Shakeel gang, who were arrested by the police with weapons in the Mazgaon neighbourhood of Mumbai.