Relatives of Bashir Ahmad Baba, a suspected Hizbul Mujahideen militant arrested by Gujarat police, today staged a demonstration here demanding his immediate release claiming he was innocent.
"My brother is not affiliated with any militant outfit and is innocent. We seek intervention of the state government in ensuring his early release," Nazir Ahmad, a resident of Rainawari locality of downtown Srinagar, told reporters outside Press Enclave.
"We were shocked on hearing the arrest of Baba through media yesterday. He was in Gujarat in connection with training as he was working as camp coordinator with an Ahmedabad-based NGO 'Maya clift centre'," Nazir said.
Gujarat police yesterday claimed to have foiled a plan by Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen to set up base in the state with the arrest of Baba alias "pepsi bomber" and said he was allegedly recruiting youths and had conducted a recce of key sites including ISRO facility and Akshardham temple.
Nazir, accompanied among others by his mother and sister, said Baba was taken into custody by Nowhatta police for questioning last year and was released within a week.
He was in constant contact with the family and five days back he made the last telephone call, saying he would return shortly.
After his arrest, police said Baba was arrested for the in September, 2008 for his links with the banned outfit and some explosive material was recovered from his possession.
