SIMI activist killed in Bhopal encounter buried in Ahmedabad

Mujeeb was among the eight operatives of SIMI who were killed in the alleged encounter on the outskirts of Bhopal on Monday after they escaped from the city's central jail by killing a security guard.

Ahmedabad, Nov 2: The burial of one of the SIMI activists killed in an alleged encounter in Bhopal was held here today amidst tight security, even as his mother claimed that he was not a terrorist and his killing was a conspiracy.

Mujeeb Sheikh, who was arrested by Jabalpur police in June 2011, was a key accused in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts. In the attack, 21 blasts had rocked the city on July 26, claiming 56 lives and leaving hundreds others severely injured.

Mujeeb's body was brought here from Bhopal by his family members late last night and he was buried this morning at a cemetery in Juhapura area as a large number of people turned up to participate in the procession.

Mujeeb was arrested by Madhya Pradesh Police for being an active member of the banned organisation--Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). He belonged to Juhapura area of Ahmedabad city.

He was also accused of planting bombs in Surat and participating in jihadi training camp in Halol area of Panchmahal district and training youths for jihadi activities.

Police made tight security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident. The personnel of Special Operations Group (SOG), Crime Branch, State Reserve Police and local police were present at the procession which was monitored by the police through CCTV camera.

"Mujeeb's body was buried in Juhapura locality where his family resides. We had deployed tight police security to ensure nothing untoward took place. Everything went off peacefully," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone VII) Vidhi Chaudhari said.

Mujeeb was among the eight operatives of SIMI who were killed in the alleged encounter on the outskirts of Bhopal on Monday after they escaped from the city's central jail by killing a security guard.

Talking to mediapersons after his burial, Mujeeb's mother Mumtaz Sheikh said her son was not a terrorist, and that she will continue to fight for justice.

"My son is not a terrorist, his crime has not been proved and his murder is a conspiracy. I will continue my fight under law and I believe I will get justice," she said.

PTI