Lucknow: The Anti-Terrorism Branch (ATS) of the Uttar Pradesh Police has made significant strides in apprehending seven terrorists associated with Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in November 2023. The detainees, mostly affiliated with SAMU (Students of Aligarh Muslim University), have raised questions about the earlier investigation conducted by Sub Inspector Mohammad Akram Khan, who had previously cleared SAMU of any suspicions.
Background: Intelligence agencies had been monitoring SAMU since 2020, particularly during the anti-CAA-NRC violence within AMU. The Special Cell of Delhi Police's arrest of Shahnawaz, a member of the Pune ISIS module, in October 2023, revealed SAMU's connections, prompting heightened scrutiny from both the Delhi Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Controversial Investigation Report: While the initial investigation by Sushant Gaur in 2020 had prompted surveillance, Sub Inspector Mohammad Akram Khan, who later took charge, submitted a report in 2022, clearing SAMU of any anti-national or terrorist activities. The recent arrests in November 2023 indicate a potential discrepancy in the 2022 investigation report.
Rapid Unfolding of Events: Following Shahnawaz's arrest, Uttar Pradesh ATS swiftly acted, apprehending seven top terrorists associated with SAMU in less than a month. However, Faizan Bakhtiar, Abdul Samad Malik, and Harish Farooqui remain at large. A massive raid is underway to locate these individuals.
Ongoing Concerns: Questions persist about the accuracy of the 2022 investigation report, especially as SAMU continued to grow and attract more radicals. The current developments highlight the need for a thorough reassessment of previous assessments.
The unfolding events underscore the complexity of monitoring and evaluating potential threats, with SAMU's case serving as a critical example. The investigation's outcome will likely shape future approaches to addressing potential security risks associated with student organizations.
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