The Hindu : National : Bashir was also a Jamia student

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Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008
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Bashir was also a Jamia student

Parul Sharma

NEW DELHI: Jamia Millia Islamia has now admitted that suspected militant Mohammad Bashir alias Atif, who was killed in an encounter with the Special Cell of the Delhi Police at Batla House here this past week, was on its rolls.

Atif was allegedly the head of the Indian Mujahideen and played a major role in the Jaipur, Ahmedabad and recent Delhi serial blasts.

Till Monday morning, Jamia authorities had only confirmed that two of the three suspected militants arrested by the police on Sunday were on the rolls of the University. “When the University opened on Monday after the weekend break, we checked our records. We found out that Atif was enrolled with us as Mohammad Atif Amen. He was a student of M.A. (Human Rights) with the Political Science Department,” claimed media coordinator Rakhshanda Jalil.

Meanwhile, even as Jamia suspended two of its students – Zia ur Rehman and Mohammad Shakeel – it said it will provide them “legal aid”.

“We have suspended the students but not expelled them. As a guardian, the University feels morally bound to defend its two students in the court of law until they are proven guilty. Needless to say, we will abide by the court’s verdict,” Vice-Chancellor Mushirul Hasan had said.

In the wake of recent events in the Jamia Nagar neighbourhood and arrest of two students from the University, Prof. Hasan will address the students on Wednesday.

“The interaction between the Vice-Chancellor and the student community will not be open to the media. Its purpose is to hold a free and frank exchange between the student community and Prof. Hasan in his capacity both as a teacher and the head of the institution,” said Ms. Jalil.

Peace march

A peace march has been scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m.

The Vice-Chancellor will lead the procession that will include Jamia teaching staff, students, and administrative staff. An emergency meeting of both the Academic Council and the Executive Council has been scheduled for Thursday.

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