Author: Ananthakrishnan G
Publication: The Times of India
Date: August 1, 2008
Introduction: Same Group Is Said To Be Behind
B'lore, Jaipur Terror Attacks
Could precious lives have been saved in Jaipur
and Bangalore had the Kerala police not "bungled'' in a case involving
some senior SIMI activists arrested by them in 2006? If the sloppy manner
in which the police handled the issue involving hardline jihadi cadres-who
later went on to mastermind the May 13 Jaipur blasts and believed to have
played a major role in the July 25 Bangalore serial explosions-is any indication,
the answer is in the affirmative.
The case relates to the arrest of five SIMI
men who were holding a meeting at Binanipuram near Aluva in Ernakulam district
on August 15, 2006. Though a total of 18 SIMI men were rounded up, the police
mysteriously reg istered a case against only five and let off the rest. The
FIR registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act named five accused-Shaduli,
Ansar Moulavi, Nizamuddin, Abdul Rafeeq and Shamas. Almost two years into
their arrest, cops are yet to even file a chargesheet in the case. Not unusual
for the police, except for the fact that two of them-Ansar Moulvi and Sahduli-are
now in the custody of the Rajasthan police in connection with the Jaipur blasts.
Ansar Moulavi and Shaduli also attended a secret training camp at Vagamon
in Kerala's Idukki district in December 2007, a year after they were arrested
by the Binanipuram police and released on bail. A third one is reportedly
detained in Bangalore after last week's serial blasts. Nizamuddin fled India
and is said to be operating from Saudi Arabia, while the whereabouts of the
fifth person isn't known.
The extent of bungling dawned on the police
only after the May 13 Jaipur arrests. But by then, it was too late. But with
the SIMI threat looming large again, demands have grown in the administration
for a probe into the role of two senior cops who are said to have "sabotaged''
the probe. According to reports, the manner in which the police probed the
case reveals a deliberate lack of interest. There was no attempt to pursue
the matter or collect evidence. An LDF MLA is said to have even called on
the SIMI men in jail after their arrest to convey his "sympathy''.
