The Andhra Pradesh government's decision to release Rs 70 lakh for Muslim youngsters wrongly incarcerated for their alleged role in terror attacks can be touted as a historic move. Following the Mecca Masjid blast in 2007 in Hyderabad, many Muslim youths were rounded up. For months they were put behind bars. Most of them were treated shabbily. Many national dailies reported that the innocent youths were even allegedly tortured in jail.
After a long campaign by civil society and organisations these youngsters were freed. Since then pressures have been mounted on the government to compensate them. Campaigners have demanded that sweeping arrests of innocent youths should come to an end.
Of late many such cases have popped up in which innocent youths have been arrested to be released later on without any charges. But for many freedom turned out to be costly as they had difficulties getting jobs. Their lives were ruined.
The media also played its role as it always gave prominence to such stories. But on their release their stories were mostly not reported or relegated to inside pages. What a shame!
It appears that this landmark decision will change things and other state governments may also start thinking on this line. Moreover, the police force will also think twice before laying their hands on innocent youth. From now on they have to do their homework properly. This will also help in bringing the community in the mainstream.
Such a move will only help the government and police forces to gain trust and faith of the Muslim community in their war against terrorism. Now it is for the National Minorities Commission to distribute the compensation money to the victims as soon as possible.
After a long campaign by civil society and organisations these youngsters were freed. Since then pressures have been mounted on the government to compensate them. Campaigners have demanded that sweeping arrests of innocent youths should come to an end.
Of late many such cases have popped up in which innocent youths have been arrested to be released later on without any charges. But for many freedom turned out to be costly as they had difficulties getting jobs. Their lives were ruined.
The media also played its role as it always gave prominence to such stories. But on their release their stories were mostly not reported or relegated to inside pages. What a shame!
It appears that this landmark decision will change things and other state governments may also start thinking on this line. Moreover, the police force will also think twice before laying their hands on innocent youth. From now on they have to do their homework properly. This will also help in bringing the community in the mainstream.
Such a move will only help the government and police forces to gain trust and faith of the Muslim community in their war against terrorism. Now it is for the National Minorities Commission to distribute the compensation money to the victims as soon as possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment