The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Sunday, September 30, 2001, Chandigarh, India

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Videos, transcripts tell all
Enough proof on SIMI: Centre
Ravi Bhatia
Tribune News Service

New Delhi September 29
The Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) which was banned on Thursday through a Home Ministry notification after month-long deliberations at the highest level, was founded in Aligarh in 1977 and accused of indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the country as well as disrupting the secular fabric of the country.

The Home Ministry, which claims to have collected enough documentary evidence against the organisation before finally banning it, alleged that SIMI activists were in close touch with militant organisations both in Punjab and in Jammu and Kashmir and were “thus questioning the territorial integrity of the country.”

The Centre also charged the organisation with eulogising Osama bin Laden, who is the prime suspect in the September 11 terror attacks on the USA and its links with Al Qaida, the organisation floated by him.

Home Ministry officials claimed that they had enough evidence, comprising audio and video tapes, copies of written communication between the activists, telephone records, transcripts and seized copies of posters and leaflets to prove that the organisation was working for an international Islamic order and glorifying pan-Islamic fundamentalism, using derogatory language against deities of other religions and generally urging the Muslims to launch a jehad (religious war).

It has also been accused of fanning communal disharmony in many states, particularly Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, by publishing and distributing objectionable posters and literature.

The backgrounder compiled by the Home Ministry also alleges that the organisation also has a deep nexus with the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and close links with some pro-Hamas students organisations funded by some of the ventures of the Afghanistan-based Arab millionaire-turned-terrorist, Bin Laden. In fact, the organisation had distributed pro-Taliban pamphlets hailing Bin Laden as the undisputed hero of the Islamic fundamentalists.

SIMI bank accounts frozen in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, September 29
Two bank accounts operated by the banned SIMI here have been frozen even as search continued for the absconding Gujarat leaders of the radical outfit, the police today said.

One of the accounts was maintained with the Jammu and Kashmir Bank, the police said, adding that the source of the funding was being investigated.

Besides Ahmedabad, searches were conducted yesterday at SIMI branches in Bharuch, Kutch, Modasa, Surat, Baroda and Junagadh and inflammatory posters, literature, notepads, bank receipts and the like seized, the police said.

So far, three SIMI activists have been arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 in Gujarat, sources said, adding that its presence in the state was “comparatively negligible.” PTI

Curfew relaxed, situation calm
Satish Misra
Tribune News Service

Lucknow, September 29
Even as the state administration claimed today to have law and order situation under control with the relaxation of curfew for three hours, more arrests of activists and office- bearers of the SIMI are expected in the next few days.

With the arrest of SIMI office-bearer Farzand Ali, alias Acche Mian, in Moradabad, the number of arrests has reached 87, Principal Secretary (Home) Naresh Dayal told newspersons adding that state administration hoped to bring about 50 more under detention once the situation normalises.

Mr Dayal said the SIMI network was spread over 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Surprisingly, the SIMI has not been active in western UP as its spread begins from Aligarh eastward, he pointed out.

The main concentration of the SIMI has been in Aligarh, Kanpur, Rampur, Moradabad, Azamgarh, Bahraich with the main epicentre being in Kanpur, sources said.

Arrest Shahi Imam, says Shiv Sena

New Delhi, September 29
The Shiv Sena today demanded the arrest of the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari for calling upon Muslims in the country to be part of the “jehad” announced by the “Shoora” (advisory council) of Muslim clerics in Afghanistan and terming Osama bin Laden as a “hero”.

Shiv Sena (Delhi) vice-president Abhimanyu Gulati said the alleged provocative and anti-national statements of the Shahi Imam would enrage the Muslims and cause communal disharmony in the country.

“He should not be allowed to move freely as this would hamper the national interest. There are reasons to believe that the Shahi Imam is provoking people to join the “jehad” and he should be arrested,’’ Mr Gulati said in a statement.

The party also criticised the BJP for adopting double-standards on the ban on SIMI and said the decision was aimed at influencing the votes during Assembly elections in UP. “While on the one hand, the government is banning SIMI to garner Hindu votes, the Prime Minister is calling Muslims for special prayer meeting at his residence ,” Mr Gulati alleged. UNI