Owaisi demanded that a case under anti-terror law should be filed against the shooters and a deradicalisation work should be carried out on youth.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — A day after AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi was attacked by Hindu extremists while coming back from Uttar Pradesh after addressing poll rallies, he rejected the offer of highest ‘Z’ category security cover by the government. Instead he demanded that a case under anti-terror law should be filed against the shooters and a deradicalisation work should be carried out on youth.
Speaking in the parliament on Friday Owaisi said : “I don’t want Z category security, as I don’t want to lead a life in suffocation as I always want to be with the poor and deprived people of this country and my constituency. I urge the government to work for deradicalising such youth who opened fire on my vehicle on Thursday,”
According to the police, two youths have been arrested for their involvement in the firing incident that took place on the highway near Chhajarsi Toll in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday.
Earlier during the Question Hour, Owaisi first thanked Speaker Om Birla for showing concern over Thursday’s firing incident and for directing the concerned officials to ensure the safety of a sitting member of the Parliament.
However, Owaisi then declined to accept the Z category security cover ordered by the government for his personal security.
“Who are these youths who have more belief in bullet than ballot? The government should first enquire how did they become so radicalised. I don’t want any security cover from the government. As I had said in 2015, the Home Ministry should form a committee comprising members from all religions to ensure that our youth don’t get radicalised. Through you (the Speaker), I want to tell the government that I don’t want Z category security cover,” Owaisi said.
After Owaisi’s speech, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal informed the House that the Uttar Pradesh government has taken cognizance of the matter and swung into action.
Two of the accused have already been arrested by the UP police, and the arms used have also been confiscated, Goyal said.