Mehdi followers arrested for instigating Muslim youths

Raisen, MP, June 16 (UNI) Twelve persons, who were arrested yesterday for tutoring Muslim youths to wage a holy war, are followers of controversial Mehdi sect, which believes that 'prophet' would come to this world again when injustice increases.

One of the arrested, Mohammed Shakil, claimed that he was Mehdi and he would become omnipotent in a few years.

A section of Muslims believe in Mehdi, a concept not universally accepted in Islam because of its certain radical beliefs.

''During interrogation, the accused denied that they were instigating Muslim youths for waging a holy war or meeting Al Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden,'' Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Surendra Singh told UNI here.

Prima facie, the case did not appear to be a part of a major terrorist conspiracy.

Meanwhile, Mateen Khan and Athar Mohammed had claimed that the accused were motivating them for 'jehad' and planning to take them to New Delhi.

Both informed Shahar Qazi Zaheer Khan, who alerted the police and a raid at a flat in Ward Number One Narapura locality yesterday led to the arrests.

Hoshangabad range Inspector General of Police Pradeep Runwal said literature related to Mehdi sect was seized from these youths.

Those who came into contact with the accused claimed that they had been given inducements of taking then abroad besides money.

Bihar-resident Mohammed Shakeel, who studied up to class XII, came to New Delhi, where he married for the second time.

His second wife is reportedly posted in the Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, Shakeel wrote a book 'Nabi Paigambar ke aane ki aahat' and started distributing the book himself. Later, he declared that he was 'nabi (prophet)' himself.

He reportedly succeeded in making 119 followers in various parts of the country.

Mateen claimed that Shakeel used to tell him that he was 'nabi'. He had been informed that a pledge would administered in front of 'nabi' in New Delhi and preparations would be made for meeting Bin Laden.

Mr Singh said the accused would be presented before a court today and police remand would be sought.

Besides, police were trying to establish contact on phone numbers found in the accused's mobile phones.

UNI