Plan to give legal aid to falsely jailed minorities

 Months after Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan raised the issue of “wrong arrests” of Muslim youths in terror cases, Home Ministry is planning to provide legal assistance to those from the minority community in jail for the alleged offence.

The ministry’s move comes in the backdrop of setting up of 39 NIA courts to fast-track trial in such cases across the country.

The ministry felt that the “genuine concerns” raised by a section that some of the accused could be falsely implicated should be addressed. A final decision is yet to be taken, Home Ministry officials said.

The move is seen as Congress-led UPA government’s bid to allay misgivings of the minorities. Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has asked the states to immediately set up courts for speedy disposal of such cases.

Khan had early this year approached Shinde voicing concern over the arrests of Muslim youth in different parts of the country in terror cases. He had brought to Shinde’s attention the apprehensions expressed by various Muslim organisations regarding misuse of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Special courts

The Minority Affairs Minister had also demanded the setting up of special courts for speedy trial of terror-related cases. Shinde had written to Khan, supporting the latter’s suggestion.

In April last, 17 organisations had come together and released a report titled “Permanent Suspects - Framing Muslim Youth in Karnataka”, highlighting the targeting of Muslims in terror cases.

The CPM last November approached President Pranab Mukherjee and registered its protest against the targeting of Muslim youth in terror cases. The party demanded that innocent youth harassed by the police and investigative agencies be compensated.