Sanjarpur village in UP's Azamgarh wants to shun 'terror tag'

People in this Muslim-dominated village in Azamgarh district, which hogged the limelight as a "terror hub" after 2008 Batla House encounter in Delhi against suspected Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorists who all belonged to it, have no expectations from politicians they just want to get rid of the 'terror tag' on their village.

"We want to get rid of the terror tag on our village that has been given by the media after the Batla House encounter. We don't have much expectations from politicians who come and go. There are no issues before us but we only want authorities to ensure release of innocent youths caught by security agencies," Mohammad Shadab alias Mister, whose son Saif is lodged in Jaipur jail these days, told PTI.

"When accused of Samjhauta Express and Malegaon blasts have been set free for lack of any proof. The youths of our village arrested after Batla House encounter should also get similar justice. They are all innocent like those who are accused of Samjhauta and Malegaon blast," he told a visiting PTI journalist.

About Saif's involvement, his father said, "Undoubtedly he is innocent. The case is going on and no witness could stand in the court. There is no eye witness. All of them are policemen who are witness. The matter should be raised by politicians contesting polls. We are waiting for justice."
About their choice in the on going polls, he said, "We will vote for the less harmful one though no one has yet taken up the cause of the youths of this village. Everytime elections come, politicians and media visit us but no one really comes for the help."
Rashtriya Ulema Council President Maulana Aamir Rashadi, who organised protests in national and state capital as he took people from here on train said, "The innocent youths' release will pave way for removing the stigma. Our demand for unbiased probe remains."