When Islamic State sympathiser Areeb Majeed was brought back to India after he reportedly left the terrorist group, a major question before the police was whether to arrest Majeed or present him as a symbol of de-radicalisation.
What is the dilemma?
The decision to arrest Majeed involved top officials of the Union home ministry and central and state agencies. Their contention was that if he is not arrested, there was the possibility of members of the banned Students Islamic Movement of Indian (SIMI) referring to this case and using it in court to evade arrest.
On November 28, Majeed was brought back to India from a Turkish airlines flight and was grilled for hours by officers of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, National Investigation Agency and Intelligence Bureau.
A senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer said the major question that had arisen following Majeed's arrival was what action should be taken against him.
Symbol of de-radicalisation?
"A high level meeting had taken place to decide on Majeed's fate. While some officials felt Majeed could be presented as a symbol of de-radicalisation to help persuade other radicalised youths to leave the path of terrorism, some others had a different view," the officer said.
During the discussion, the issue of SIMI had cropped up, said sources. "Majeed was highly radicalised and was suspected to have participated in battles along with IS fighters in Iraq. We also have several cases of SIMI operatives arrested with religious literature and provocative video clips. If Majeed was not arrested, members of SIMI could have used that as an opportunity to claim that if they too are not arrested (under the draconian Unlawful Activities and Prevention Act), that would help de-radicalise their members," the officer said.
"Also, if Majeed was not arrested, we would not be able to arrest the other three Kalyan youths who had gone to Iraq (on their return). Finally, it was decided that Majeed had to be arrested to prevent SIMI from taking advantage of the situation legally," said the officer.
Another youth to return?
Meanwhile, sources in the security establishment have said that another Kalyan youth, Shaheem Tanki, is in touch with intelligence agencies. "Efforts are on to persuade him to return to India," the officer said.
In May this year, Majeed, Shaheem Tanki, Fahad Shaikh and Aman Tandel, all from Kalyan, had left India to visit holy places in West Asia, but disappeared thereafter. They were suspected to have joined Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Where did the youths go?
According to the police, the four engineering students flew to Baghdad on May 25 as part of a group of pilgrims to visit religious shrines in Iraq. The next day, Majeed called his family from Baghdad and apologised for having left without informing them.
On August 26, Tanki called up Majeed's family and told them that their son had become a "martyr", fighting for ISIS in Syria. The next day, Majeed's family performed 'Janaza-e-gayabana' (prayers for the departed soul in absence of the body) in Kalyan.
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