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| Visible is SIMI footprint across India | | Banned outfit's 'nexus' with J&K Hizbul Mujahideen | | B L KAK
NEW DELHI, OCT. 4: The continuing offical ban on Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) notwithstanding, a new 'nexus' is reported to have been developed between the outlawed outfit and Hizbul Mujahideen in Jammu and Kashmir. Hizbul Mujahideen is also an outlawed extremist organisation.
According to a set of intelligence reports, the 'nexus' between the SIMI and Kashmir's dreaded Hizbul Mujahideen assumes considerable importance after the government of India recently obtained evidence vis-a-vis the 'strategic partnership' between the SIMI and the Harkat-ul-Jehad-al Islami Bangladesh (HUJI-B). The HUJI-B is said to be closely allied to Al Qaeda.
Exact information about the number of SIMI members and operatives having managed to merge with the Hizbul Mujahideen is not forthcoming. According to one assessment note, presently being examined by the government, scores of SIMI members have hitherto developed a 'nexus' with the J&K Hizbul Mujahideen. The Union Home Ministy is also examning a study on SIMI conducted by the South Asia Terrorism portal. A specific mention has been made to a 'continuous recruitment' drive by SIMI cadre for HUJI-B in Jaunpur, Allahabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ambedkar Nagar, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Sonauli, Ferozabad and Hathras.
The study has made a sensational disclosure: SIMI old-timers like Mohammad Aamir, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Rehan and Shariq Fahim, most oif whom have spent time in Bangladesh, were in charge of such operations. SIMI cadres are also involved in safe transportation of explosives as well as the creation of channels for funds and securing safe houses for HUJI-B terrorists.
The Centre is displeased with the lack of official initiatives in Uttar Pradesh(UP) against the renewed activity by the SIMI. A message has gone out from New Delhi to Lucknow, warning the Mulayam Singh Yadav government in UP that lack of political will to enforce the ban imposed by the Centre on SIMI might play havoc with the State's security as the organisation is regrouping under a different name and could trigger yet another series of destructive activities.
With the Assembly polls round the corner in UP, vote bank is more important for the ruling Samajwadi Party leadership. Official circles in Delhi are of the view that the Samajwadi Party does not want to anoy the minorities and this is the sole reason why no concrete steps are being taken to put an effective check on SIMI activities, what to talk of arresting the main leaders.
It is offical: SIMI footprint is visible almost all over India. In fact, the numbers are growing as SIMI members seem to merge with other outfits. In the five years that SIMI has been officially banned, it has not only continued its activities in traditional strongholds, but has successfully managed to expand its sphere of influence. Significantly, the expanded sphere of influence of the banned organisation also includes Jammu and Kashmir.
The September 2001 ban on SIMI was recently upheld by the Supreme Court, particularly because the outfit has left a trail of linkages. SIMI is also said to enjoy a 'close working relationship' with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) in Bangladesh and its students' wing, the Islami Chhatra Shibir. Analysts have pointed out that the 'close working relationship' of SIMI with HUJI-B and JeI in Bangladesh has, in recent times, led to recruitment of a large number of Islamist militants and subversives in diferent parts of Bangladesh for their infiltration into the Indian territory, including Jammu and Kashmir, under a phased plan. |
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