Innocents held in SIMI drive: Cong

Bhopal, Apr 20 (UNI) Expressing concern over the arrest of ''innocents'' in the name of banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activists, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee Vice President Gufran-i-Azam here today urged the state government to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Mr Azam told reporters that he visited Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and registered his objection in this regard.

Mr Chouhan assured him that no person would be arrested out of sheer vindictiveness and he himself would monitor such matters he said.

''There is a possibility that under a conspiracy, innocent people of Muslim community are being apprehended and troubled over the ongoing drive against SIMI,'' he said, adding that a thorough research should be done before apprehending any person.

Raising questions on the sudden crackdown on SIMI activists, Mr Azam said no arrest was made between 2001 and 2007 but these large-scale arrests smacked of a conspiracy.

''I always favour stern action against banned organisations but in its garb injustice cannot be tolerated,'' Mr Azam added.

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