JUSTIFIED ANGER: Civil Rights activist K.G. Kannabiran speaking at the hunger strike undertaken by Zahid Ali Khan and Syed Viquaruddin against Gujarat encounter at Indira Park on Saturday. -- Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

Hyderabad: A daylong hunger strike seeking an end to fake encounters in Gujarat and elsewhere in the country was staged here on Saturday.

Journalists, politicians, religious scholars and members of the minority community who took part in the dharna demanded exemplary punishment for the guilty police officers involved in the killing of Sohrabuddin Shaikh, his wife Kauser Bi and Ishrath Jahan. The protestors sought end to harassment of Muslim youth by branding them as ISI agents. They demanded appointment of special judges to probe all fake encounters.

`Take lenient view'

The dharna organised by the Siasat Urdu daily received support from other Urdu dailies -- Rahnuma-e-Deccan and Musnif -- also. In a resolution, the protestors demanded expedition of TADA and POTA cases since several persons were languishing in jails. They demanded that the Government take a lenient view and release the Muslims who are in jails for petty crimes and couldn't furnish surety.

Former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu demanded a CBI enquiry into the killing of Sohrabuddin and his wife Kauser Bi. Rajya Sabha member P. Madhu demanded dismissal of the Modi Government as the fake encounters were carried out at its behest. S. Sudhakar Reddy, Madhu Yaskhi Goud (MPs,), former MP Lal Jan Pasha, N. Narsimha Reddy, MLA and MBT leader Khayam Khan spoke.

Zahid Ali Khan, chief editor, Siasat, alleged that 90 per cent of the encounters were fake. Quoting the Sachar committee report, he said more than a lakh Muslims were languishing in jails.

Syed Vicaruddin, editor, Rahnuma-e-Deccan, suggested formation of a committee to enlist support from all political parties on the issue. The matter should not be forgotten by merely organising a dharna but a proper representation should be made to the Prime Minister.

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