The Andhra Pradesh government has finally disbursed compensation to 16 innocent Muslim youths who were tortured by the police in connection with the Macca Masjid blast case.
Following the recommendation of the National Commission for Minorities, the state government withdrew cases against them and has also issued character certificates. The youths were given Rs3 lakh each as compensation.
Soon after the bomb blast in the historic Macca Masjid in the city, the police rounded up dozens of Muslim youths, and subjected some of them to torture.
The men who were picked up and later let off would be given Rs20,000 each.
On Friday, the minorities welfare minister, Mr Mohammed Ahmadullah, distributed the cheques and character certificates to the youths.
MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, district collector Gulzar N. and secretary, ministry of minorities welfare, Mohammed Ali Rafat were present at the function held at the Jubilee Hall, Public Gardens.
Mr Mohammed Ahmadullah said this was an historic moment as the government had realised and corrected the injustice done to Muslim youths.
Addressing the gathering, MIM leader and MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi said that even though in the Ajmer and Malegaon blast cases too Muslim youths were arrested, only AP came forward to compensate the victims.
Those who received the compensation said they were yet to get full justice, and that the compensation and the certificate were just confidence-building measures. Ghulam Rabbani, who was arrested while pursuing MCA, said that when he was acquitted he couldn’t pursue the course and had opted for LLB.