KMC to protest arrest of ''innocents''

Bangalore, Feb 29 (UNI) The apolitical Karnataka Muslim Council (KMC), working for the empowerment of minorities today strongly opposed the arrest of ''innocent youths'' in the name of terrorism.

Speaking to newspersons here, KMC Chairman and former Union Minister C M Ibrahim said while Muslims would welcome any Act of curbing the menace of terrorist-linked activities, they would resent any attempt to harass the ''innocent youths'' of their community.

Stating that the KMC had no objection to Karnataka police for arresting seven people and sending them to prison on suspicion of aiding and abetting terrorism, he, however, said it would be wrong to arrest ''innocent youths'' and let them off after subjecting them to adverse media exposure.

There was no correlation between the statement of police and media reports on the recent arrest of Muslim youths allegedly involved in disruptive activities, Mr Ibrahim said and demanded that the state police come out clear on the issue of detention and release of innocent people.

''The arrest of innocent youths, who were wrongly held over suspicion and then let off without giving a clean chit by the police, would leave an indelible scar on them for the rest of their life,'' he said, adding the state police should take Muslims into confidence in collecting information and data on subversive activities.

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