Accused students find support from teachers

Lucknow: Teachers of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have come out in defence of the two Jamia Millia Islamia students arrested in connection with the serial blasts in New Delhi.

With nearly 1,400 teachers, the staff association of AMU has launched a campaign to "ensure a fair defence" for the two students accused in the September 13 bombings that killed 26 people.

"A judicial inquiry into the case is the only demand of our campaign," AMU Staff Association said secretary Abdus Salam by telephone from Aligrah.

A memorandum to initiate the judicial inquiry has already been submitted to the president, the prime minister and the Delhi chief minister, he added.

Earlier, the Delhi-based Jamia Millia Islamia university decided to provide legal help to its two students arrested for their alleged role in the bombings.

Mohammad Shakeel, a second-year MA student, and Zia Ur Rehman, a third-year BA student, were arrested from New Delhi September 21 for their alleged involvement in serial blasts. Delhi Police have said they, along with 10 others arrested, were part of the Indian Mujahideen that has claimed responsibility for the serial bombings in the national capital as well as other cities in recent months.

About future strategy of their campaign, AMU Staff Association members said a delegation of the university teachers would shortly meet vice-president Hamid Ansari for his intervention.

AMU Staff Association members allege that people belonging to the minority Muslim community are being falsely implicated in terror cases.