Author: UNI
Publication: IBNlive.com
Date: August 18, 2006
URL: http://www.ibnlive.com/news/cops-enter-jama-masjid-probe-ordered/18949-3.html
Police have ordered an enquiry into 'searches'
carried out by some of its personnel at Jama Masjid on Friday afternoon following
a call of a bomb being planted there.
The inquiry was ordered after the Shahi Imam
of the Jama Masjid reportedly took offence to the police party entering the
masjid without his 'permission', a senior police official told UNI.
''An enquiry has been ordered into the inciident
and we are going through the facts.''
It started with a three-member police team
reaching the masjid, sometime close to 1400 hrs, following an information
that a bomb had been kept at the holy place.
While they were checking the place, the Imam
was informed and objected to the police party entering the masjid premises
without his permission, he said.
''His main grievance was that he was not informed
before searches were carried out."
We are looking into the matter and have ordered
an enquiry into the incident, he added.
Meanwhile, deploring the incident, brother
of Shahi Imam Yahya Bukhari told UNI that the very fact that the coming of
three policemen, including a CID officer, to the mosque without seeking permission
of the Imam or his office smacked of a conspiracy.
''The SHO changed his statements thrice on
why he came to the masjid - first he said he came to visit, then he said there
was information of a 'paper bomb' kept at Imam's place and lastly that a bomb
was kept at the Jama Masjid.
Our contention is why did he come with his
uniform on, that too with wireless sets, if he had come to visit the masjid.
Secondly, why was a CID personnel of the Special Branch accompanying him.
Thirdly, why was permission not taken, which
has been the 'regular procedure' till date.
Also, why did they enter the masjid dome stairs
which was closed for tourists. And lastly, why were tourists interrogated,
said Mr Bukhari.
We believe this was part of a conspiracy to
defame the masjid which was absolutely unwarranted and uncalled for, he added.
