SLMC to assist Muslims apprehended without just cause

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has discussed ways of providing relief for persons who may be unduly affected by ongoing security operations.

The SLMC said, consequent to the chain of arrests made during police inspections in connection with the recent serial bomb blasts, SLMC leader, Minister Rauff Hakeem, chaired a meeting with parliamentarians and senior members of the SLMC to explore ways and means of assisting innocent victims of circumstances, who were apprehended by law enforcing authorities.

The meeting was summoned by the SLMC leader on complaints made by members of the Muslim community, alleging that innocent people had been taken into custody without valid reason under emergency regulations.

It was reported that Muslims in possession of the Holy Quran, Arabic books, magazines and newspapers, and domestic knives have been suspected of having terrorist links and motives.

“It was decided that the party leader, SLMC secretary, and lawyers representing the party, should take up these matters with the President, who is also Minister of Law and Order, and with the Attorney General, to work out a comprehensive mechanism to identify the real culprits during interrogations or investigations,” the release added.

During the meeting, a panel of party lawyers were appointed to appear for those who were charged before the court of law without proper evidence. Families of such people have been requested to contact their respective SLMC members to process their litigation.

“It was also brought to the notice of the members at the meeting, the embarrassment and inconvenience caused to Muslim women clad in abaya or hijab while visiting government facilities and other places,” the release stated.

Those affected have been requested to contact the party organisers in their respective areas or the SLMC headquarters at 'Darussalam' directly.