Bhatkal, April 3: A delegation of Bhatkal Muslims with representatives from Majlise Islah-o-tanzeem, Galf Council, Bhatkal Muslim Jamath, Dubai, under the leadership of S.M. Syed Khaleelurrahman, chairman of Anjuman Hami-ye Muslimeen called on the Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in New Delhi on Monday.
The meeting assumes significance in the wake of a Times of India report which claimed that Bhatkal had a dump of RDX explosives. The report was later rubbished by the Uttara Kannada district police.
“By brandishing the name of three alleged Bhatkal residents involved in the alleged terrorist activities, there is a concerted effort going on in the media to defame the coastal town. Bhatkal is also being projected as a terrorist hub,” the delegation said in their memorandum submitted to the Union Minister.
“By quoting the statements of the intelligence reports the Muslims of Bhatkal are being linked to Indian Mujahideen. However, the police officials and the top intelligence officials have rubbished the reports being published in the media,” they said.
The delegation also drew the attention of the Home Minister to the deliberate harassment and tactics employed by the police in issuing passports to the residents of Bhatkal. The delegation also raised the issue of alleged harassment by the customs officers to the travelers from Bhatkal at the airports.
The delegation discussed a range of issues with the Home Minister for over one hour. The Minister listened to the delegation carefully and also suggested to take recourse to legal action if they feel offended by the reports of the media.
Parvez Khasimji, the president of the Majlise Islah-o-tanzeem, Yunus Khazia, general secretary of Gulf Council, Mohammed Muzammil Khazia, former president of the tanzeem, S.M. Syed Raees of Bhatkal Muslim Jamath Dubai and Inayatullah Gavayi, editor of Sahil online were part of the delegation.
The delegation also called on the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Rahman Khan.
Comments
Add new comment