Invoke UAPA against Faizal murder accused

KOZHIKODE: C Shukkur, the former government pleader and public prosecutor in Kasaragod, has asked the government to invoke provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in the case related to the murder of Faizal at Kodinhi in Malappuram.
It was Shukkur who had filed complaints against Salafi preacher Shamsudeen Fareed Palath and Hindu Aikya Vedi state president K P Sasikala for their hate speeches.
"Faizal murder is a fit case to attract Section 15 of the UAPA. The killing was meant to evoke fear in the minds of people," Shukkur told TOI. Section 15 defines a terrorist as "whoever does any act with intent to threaten or likely to threaten the unity, integrity, security or sovereignty of India or with intent to strike terror or likely to strike terror in the people or any section of the people in India or in any foreign country."
Faizal, who had embraced Islam, was murdered allegedly by RSS workers on November 19. Police have so far arrested eight accused in the case. "Everyone has the right to believe in any religion of his or her choice. The murder was intended to thwart the freedom of a Hindu to get converted to Islam or Christianity," said Shukkur.
"The chopping of the palm of Professor T J Jospeh of Newsman's College, Thodupuzha, was considered an act of Islamic terrorism and UAPA was slapped on the accused. Faizal murder, an RSS variety of terrorism, should also be tackled sternly," he said.
Shukkur, a leader of the pro-IUML Kerala Lawyers Forum, said people expect equal justice to all communities from chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.