SURAT: Close on the heels of serial of bomb blasts in Ahmedabad on Saturday and recovery of huge quantity of explosive materials and five live-bombs in Surat on Sunday, the city police have tightened noose around SIMI activists here.
Police sources said that they are keeping a close watch on SIMI activists as various intelligence agencies have pointed towards the possible role of activists in Bangalore and Ahmedabad blasts.
Police sources said that out of 123 SIMI activists arrested by the police in 2001, 25 were from Gujarat, of whom five were from Surat. The five arrested persons from Surat were Asif Sheikh, a resident of Begumpura; Arif Ganiwara and Hanif Ganiwara, both brothers and residents of Nanpura area; Akil Deshmukh and Hasim Ahmed Deshmukh, both brothers and residents of Limbayat area.
All the five arrested persons were released on bail after some time. SOG officials also said that they are keeping a close watch on their activities.
Police also said that while Asif was an SMC employee who was suspended after the arrest and now is running an electronic shop at Begumpura. While Arif and Hanif are running a construction company, Akil Deshmukh and Hasim Deshmukh deal in phenyl and scrap work.
Police sources said that as the case is still going on at Surat court the persons belonging from other states who were arrested by the police appears in the court.
Police sources also said they are keeping a close watch on the activities of five arrested persons. SOG sources further said that these five persons played a key role in organising the meeting of SIMI under the banner of Tahrrek Ihya-e- Ummat (TAU).
Police sources said that in December 2001, 123 SIMI activists were arrested by the Surat police as they were having a secret meeting near Rajshree hall at Navsari Bazar.
