Muslim leaders condemn Tripura's anti-Muslim attacks; demand inquiry into role of police

NEW DELHI: Leaders of the four leading Muslim organisations have demanded an inquiry into the role of the state police and administration in Tripura’s anti-Muslim violence.

While addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Saturday orgniased by All India Muslim Majlis- e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadees Hind and All India Milli Council, subsequently returning from Tripura’s violence affected areas.

A joint delegation comprising of AIMMM Presdient Navaid Hamid, JIH Vice President Prof Salim Engineer, JIH Secretary Maulana Shafi Madani, Jamiat AhleHadees secretary Maulana Sheesh Taimi and Milli Council’s Shams Tabrez Qasmi visited the affected areas of state from October 30 to November 2nd.

According to the delegation’s report as many as 16 mosques were attacked in various parts of Tripura including two in the state capital Agartala, of which four were totally burnt down, and even copies of the Holy Quran were not spared.

Addressing the media persons, the community leaders have lamented that the Tripura violence tarnished the image of the country and it showed that the government is incapable of protecting the minorities and their places of worship.

“Tripura does not have a history of communal violence and strife but ever since communal people have taken charge of the helm of affairs in the state, such incidents of communal violence and vandalism have started taking place. It seems that the communal violence in Tripura is a part of a political agenda to create communal and religious polarization throughout the country for political gains in other states, where assembly elections are fast approaching",

AIMMM president Navaid Hamid said.

"The delegation stayed in Tripura for three days and met the victims, the local population including non-Muslims. We tried to meet the CM of Tripura and the DG Police, but they did not meet the delegation. These incidents of violence and vandalism did not occur spontaneously. They appear to be orchestrated. People were incited and provoked against Muslims. Promoting hate against a community is a big crime. Mosques were especially targeted so that the Muslim community is demoralized and their identity is attacked. They should be terrorized and become victims of fear and anxiety. This is extremely damaging for both Tripura and the entire country", he added.

JIH Vice President Prof. Salim expressed shock over the filing of cases and invoking the anti-terror law like UAPA against members of the fact find teams, journalists and activists for sharing the news of the anti-Muslim violence, instead of taking strong action against miscreants and rioters.

He said, “the police and the administration should have taken timely action against the perpetrators of violence. If timely action were taken, then maybe these incidents of violence and vandalism could have been prevented.”

Condemning the sharing of fake news and images on social media to create communal strife, hatred and fear among communities, Prof. Salim Engineer said, “We must check that and should not forward such content. In Tripura too, such fake news was created to spread fear and hatred. Islam also teaches us to verify news before spreading it.”

Muslims leaders, during the press conference jointly demanded the government to conduct an inquiry to find out the police officers who committed dereliction of duty during the violence.