Protest meeting demands release of innocent Muslims, rejects Somashekara report

Mangalore, February 11: Mangalore Central Committee, in association with other like-minded organisations held a massive demonstration on Friday in front of the deputy commissioner's office seeking immediate release of a number of innocent Muslim youth arrested in connection with blasts that took place in Malegaon, Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad and Ajmeer.

The protestors urged the central government to free these people who have been held in various prisons as under-trials despite new revelations pointing to the role of saffron terror groups in these incidents.

Speakers after speakers lashed out at the anti-minority stance of the central as well as various state governments on the issue and said Muslim youth are unnecessarily being harassed under the pretext of cracking down on Islamic terrorism.

The meeting also expressed outrage over the unjust and confusing report of the Justice Somashekara Commission of Inquiry on the attacks on Christian places of worship and demanded the government to order a CBI probe to infuse confidence among the Christian community.

Delivering the key note address, KL Ashok, the general secretary of Karnataka Komu Sauharda Vedike said the government should make penance for hauling up Muslim youths under the pretext of anti-terror swoop by releasing them without any further delay.

This will help to restore faith in the judicial system and rule of law, Mr Ashok remarked.

People's Union of Civil Liberties state president PB D'sa, activist Suresh Bakrabailu, Shanthi Prakashana manager Mohammed Kunhi, Mangalore Central Committee president Ali Hasan, JDS corporator Azeez Kudroli among others were present.