Date:04/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/10/04/stories/2004100411730500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

LeT suspect's family members launch hunger strike

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, OCT. 3. Family members of Naseeruddin, who was arrested along with eight others, for allegedly operating as Lashkar-e-Taiyba agent, launched a hunger strike at their residence in Saidabad on Sunday, demanding his release.

Naseeruddin was shifted from Cherlapalli jail to the Osmania General Hospital after developing some complications and is presently undergoing treatment.

Speaking to reporters, Naseeruddin's wife, Tasneem Fatima, and daughter, Sumaiah, alleged that the Congress Government had failed to fulfil its promise to release Naseeruddin if he was found to be innocent during investigation. They threatened to undertake similar protest programmes at Tank Bund and Gandhi Bhavan if the Government did not concede their demand.

Several locals and Naseeruddin's supporters took part in the hunger strike. The protesters urged the Government to ensure that the Gujarat police, who had arrived in city to take Naseeruddin on transit remand, left Hyderabad immediately. Later, a delegation met the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president and Minister for Rural Development, D. Srinivas, at Gandhi Bhavan and submitted a memorandum seeking Naseeruddin's release.