The Hindu : National : '`We were recruited forcibly by militants''

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 10, 2004

National

National

'`We were recruited forcibly by militants''

By our Staff Reporter

NAGROTA, NOV. 9. Manoj Kumar Manhas (17), a resident of Doda district, was one of the 47 men who surrendered today. This has surprised many, as militants have often massacred Hindus in Doda district to disturb the communal amity of the area.

Kidnapped

What made Manoj Kumar Manhas join militant ranks in an area where militants have killed Hindus to polarise society on religious lines? Talking to The Hindu , Manoj Kumar, who has passed the eighth standard, said, "At first, I was kidnapped by the militants on 14th May, 2004 when I was going to school. I was taken to a hideout and asked to help them [militants] in their operations. They gave me Rs.10,000 and tried to lure me to work voluntarily for them." Manoj was given a new name by the Hizbul Mujahideen militants. He became Rizwan Ansari.

More militants

Manoj revealed that there are five more militants who are Hindus and all of them are working with the Hizbul Mujahideen. He said, "Most of them, like our local Muslim brothers, have been recruited at the point of gun or lured by money. There is no ideological commitment. Finally sensing that I am on wrong track, I along with my friend Sajjad Khan decided to surrender."

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