Their minds are being wiped clean of radical thought

NEW DELHI: The winds of change seem to be blowing out radical thoughts from the minds of the four of the 10 youths who were let off by Delhi Police's Special Cell due to lack of evidence for their involvement in terror-related activities.
In December 2015, Zeeshan and three other youths from Gokulpuri and Loni areas attended a meeting where they were told to focus on only two things - Jihad and killing for the sake of Allah.Six months on, their thought process is being moulded through sermons given by religious preachers and elderly members of their community. This time they are being told that only three things matter - truth, kanoon (law) and hukumat (government).
The recent preachings seem to make more sense to Zeeshan, Mohsin Khan and Imran, residents of Chand Bagh in Gokulpuri, and Muzahir from Loni. The quartet was brainwashed into having radical thoughts by Jaish operatives Sajid, Shaqir and others. They have promised their parents and, importantly, themselves to start a new life.
Their counsellor, maulana Abdur Razik from Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (Delhi state), told TOI he is trying to erase from their minds the doctored preaching of Quran fed by the radicals and is explaining to them what Islam really means. The group underwent a three-hour session at the Special Cell office on Lodhi Road. They will be counselled by experts again next week.
Raziq is teaching the youths to respect the law and hukumat. "They are being taught to only work and think towards the progress of the country. We told them that the force protects the nation and the government maintains peace. We must respect both," he said.
From the start, the four youths have maintained that they were never a part of any Jaish module. "During the sessions, they were told in front of their parents the embarrassment they brought to their families due to their link with terror. They were made to realise that any link with such a module or terror organisation would bring shame and harassment to their loved ones," Razik added.
"We told them that this path would take their parents, siblings and loved ones on the path of destruction. They were also told stories about Qaumi Ekta (unity among communities) and how to be kind and loving towards others. Verses from Quran were also recited to them," the maulana added.
The youths have been kept under close watch of psychiatrists for behavioural changes. "We are getting a good feedback from the experts. Their families have been explained the cons of them having such unlawful links. The youths have also been told about the troubles and legal hassles their families can face in the future due to such links," said a senior police officer.