Muslim Council appeals for peace and to desist from spreading rumours
Staff Reporter
Dimapur, March 7
Situation continues to remain tense but under control in Dimapur and along the Assam-Nagaland border two days after a mob lynched an alleged rapist in Dimapur. Vehicles were seen plying in depleted numbers and people were seen on the streets. However, as a pre-emptive measure, major commercial establishments remained shut. Wabang Jamir, IGP Range said besides the continuation of section 144 CrPC, the administration has deployed 7 columns of army, 12 companies of Nagaland Police and three companies of CRPF to maintain law and order. The situation is being reviewed every 12 hours and depending on the situation the curfew will be relaxed or make more rigid. He also informed that notice will be issued for a total curfew to be imposed on March 8 from 3 pm in order to ensure peace and tranquility in Dimapur.
Pertaining to a message being circulated through SMS and WhatsApp about a ‘Candle light peaceful gathering and prayer’ at Clock Tower to be held on Sunday, the IGP Range said that the matter has been discussed with the district administration and has termed the proposed meeting as ‘illegal.’
On the allegations that Nagaland Police was hiding medical report of the rape, Wabang Jamir clarified that there is “no question of concealing” any report as final medical report is yet to arrive. He said that vaginal swab and other evidence of the victim have been collected and that only after forensic examination, opinion will be given.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Council Dimapur (MCD) and Dimapur Muslim People Forum (DMPF) have appealed Muslims of the state and entire country to maintain peace and not to believe in rumours. Barring a few stray incidents, the situation is returning to normal, said A. Rehman, MCD working president while appealing the people restrain from believing or spreading rumours. “No Masjid was destroyed and nobody was beaten up. Do not believe in rumours,” he said while adding Nagas and Muslims have been living together in harmony for more than 100 years.
Mukibur Rehman, general secretary of Dimapur Muslim People Forum while reminding that the situation is getting back to normal called upon the people to maintain peace.
Farid Khan’s mortal remains flown home
The body of Syed Farid Khan, who was lynched by mob on Thursday for allegedly raping a girl, was flown to his native place on Saturday evening. The body was received by the younger brother along with two relatives before being flown to his native place Bhosla village, Karimganj, Assam at around 4 pm in a special helicopter arranged by Assam government. The body was handed over to the family in the presence of Superintendent of Police Karbi Anglong, SDPO Karbi Anglong, Muslim Council Dimapur (MCD), Dimapur Muslim People Forum (DMPF), Protocol SP and district administration.
Syed Farid Khan not an IBI: MCD
The Muslim Council Dimapur (MCD) has maintained today that Syed Farid Khan was not an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant (IBI) but a genuine Indian citizen.
Speaking to media persons at the airport after handing over the body of Syed Farid Khan to relatives, A Rehman, working president of Muslim Council Dimapur said that Khan was an Indian, which can be proved from his driving license which is in the possession of the police. It is clearly mentioned in the driving license that Khan was a native of Bhosla village under Karimganj district in Assam.
Rehman, while stating that the crowd got more agitated after hearing that he was an IBI on the fateful day, said the people should understand the concept of illegal immigrant. He also suggested the social organizations address the issue of IBI in right platform so that this kind of incident does not happen again.
However, IGP Range Wabang Jamir during an interaction with media people said that the police at present are not in a position to confirm or deny the identity of Syed Farid Khan if he was an Indian or an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant. “Prima facie it was informed to police that he was an IBI”, said Wabang Ao but he also added that there will be claims and counter-claims at this point. He also said that the identities of the deceased brothers ‘being in the Indian army’ are yet to be ascertained.
