Police allow protesters to march from Batla House to Jamia and no further; memo for judicial inquiry submitted

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Some youth activists, including some residents, under the banner India Awakening Forum marched from Batla House to Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) on Tuesday at about 11:30 AM, demanding for judicial inquiry into Batla House Encounter on its fourth anniversary. 

The peaceful protest continued in the locality for more than 1 hour and some residents carried banner that had sketches of two youth Atif and Sajid who were killed in the September 19, 2008 encouter and it had a question: who will be the next?

Protesters were not allowed to march to Home Minister officer as it was planned by the group earlier. Shadab Bashar, a member of the forum, said the police denied them permission to march further JMI. But a five member delegation was allowed to go with the police to submit a memorandum to Home Minister Office.

The memo included the signatures of people to show that it is a public demand to initiate judicial inquiry into the Batla House shootout in which two youths and a police officer was killed.

A known leader from Ayodhya Jugal Shastri also participated in the protest. He said: "There is a strong need to come together to fight for right."

Since morning the area was turned into a police fortress with heavy force presence. Some streets of Batla House were full of policemen.

Activist Shekh Ghulam Rabbani said: "Muslims in today’s world are in a position of insecurity and thus it becomes our duty to make efforts for their safety. In fact, we all favor truth and non violence."

Also, India Awakening Forum organized a signature campaign at Batla House for the same demand on September 16 and 17 and more than one thousand people supported the drive through signature, according to the group's release.  

Member of the forum Shah Alam siad the signature drive ensured the participation of general public and towards democratization of the demand.

Pankaj Pathak emphasized for more awareness and support base programmes. "Only peaceful and democratic protests can bring in justice."

Forum's other members, including Imran Qureshi, Asad Ashraf, Imran Khan, Afroz Alam, Waqar yunus, Satish Kumar, Shaqueel, Gufran Khan, Syed Anwar Kaifee, Litil Kumar and others, were also present.