NIA torturing minority youths in the name of probe: Kavita Krishnan

PATNA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has donned political and communal colours and is torturing youths of the minority community in the name of investigations.

This was revealed by ML politburo member and All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) secretary Kavita Krishnan at a press meet after the party consulted few alleged terrorists arrested in Patna serial blasts. Some of the alleged terrorists were also present. “Most of the youths arrested are being forced to admit their involvement in the blasts,” Krishnan said, adding, “Muslim youths from Arwal district were detained by the investigating officers and tortured till they admitted to committing terrorist acts. Many such youngsters have narrated to us the horrid tales of torture.”

Maksood Alam, whose 19-year-old son Aslam Parvez was arrested by NIA in the Patna blasts case, said, “My second son Rustam Ansari and I were told by the officers to coax Parvez to admit his connection in the blasts. He was beaten and tortured in front of me and was kept in custody from March 5 to 30 without any documents.”

Alam was also present at the press meet.

Another youth Irfan Ahmad, who was also arrested, said, “Initially, the questioning was done in Jehanabad. Then I was called to Delhi where I was beaten up so that I could admit my connections in the bomb blasts.”

The ML leaders also alleged the NIA to be influenced by political outfits. “Aslam Parvez, who was arrested by NIA, was asked about his political affiliation by the investigating officers,” Krishnan said, adding, “Why should any investigating agency ask people which party they vote for?”

ML politburo member Dhirendra Jha, who was also present on the occasion said, “Earlier we had freed two youths of north Bihar – Meher Alam and Aftab Alam, from the NIA, who were accused of being involved in the Patna bomb blasts. We will take the matter to the court if needed.”

The party also plans to approach the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Commission for Minorities (NCM) for providing justice to the youths. “The investigating agencies should also be made answerable to the Parliament,” said the ML leaders