BANGALORE: The ban on Deendar Anjuman Association should be continued to maintain communal harmony, M.B. Appanna, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Yeshwantpur Sub-Division, has said.

Mr. Appanna, who investigated the case related to one of four bomb blasts allegedly carried out by the association activists in and near churches in State in June 2000, was speaking before the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal. The tribunal, headed by Justice R.C. Chopra, has been constituted to inquire whether there is sufficient cause for continuing the ban on the association.

In his affidavit filed as a government witness on Friday, Mr. Appanna said the association, in spite of the imposition of the ban in 2001, has been continuing illegal and unlawful activities. "Secretly, many of the followers of the organisation are still holding meetings frequently in various places in Karnataka." If the ban is lifted the organisation will cause communal disturbance and damage properties of religious organisations, he said.

Mr. Appanna gave details of four cases registered in Hubli, Gulbarga, and Bangalore, which are being tried before the 34th Additional City and Sessions Judge. He also gave information about seven cases related to the bomb blasts, which are being tried in the jurisdictional courts in Hubli and Dharwad. Two criminal cases were registered in the Tumkur New police station during the ban period, Mr. Appanna said.

Mr. Appanna will be cross-examined by K. Balagopal, advocate for the association, and P.P. Malhotra, Additional Solicitor General, on Sunday.

Two persons from the Central Majlis-e-Mushavirath of Tumkur opposed the lifting of the ban. Maulana Khalid Baig Nadavi, its secretary, said the DeendarAnjuman Association is spreading hatred between communities.

M. Chidananda Murthy, Kannada scholar, spoke in favour of continuation of the ban. The objective of the association is to create fear among non-Muslims, destroy shrines, and convert them, he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail