Has a Life Sentence Been Handed to a Key Accused in the Assam Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Conspiracy Case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Guwahati, Dec 31 (NationPress) In a significant operation against terrorism, a pivotal suspect in a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) conspiracy case has been convicted and sentenced by the Special Court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) located in Guwahati, Assam, as reported by officials on Wednesday.
The convict, Md. Kamruj Zaman, who is also known as Dr Hurairah and Kamaruddin, received three separate sentences of simple imprisonment, with the most severe punishment being life imprisonment, according to a statement from the NIA.
These sentences are to be served concurrently and include a life sentence under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, as stated in the announcement.
Furthermore, the court imposed an additional five years of simple imprisonment each under Section 18B of the UA(P) Act, 1967, in conjunction with Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, and under Section 38 of the UA(P) Act.
The court also levied a fine of Rs 5,000 for each of the three convictions, with an extra three months of simple imprisonment for non-payment, the agency stated.
This case, logged as RC 08/2018/NIA-GUW in Jamunamukh, located in Assam's Hojai district, involved a conspiracy orchestrated by Kamruj Zaman to establish a module of the proscribed Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terror group in Assam during 2017-18.
The aim of this conspiracy was to engage in terrorist acts and instill fear in the public.
According to the findings from the NIA probe, Kamruj Zaman had enlisted the help of accused individuals such as Sahnawaz Alom, Saidul Alam, Omar Faruk, and others to facilitate the establishment of the terror network within the state.
Officials indicated that these activities were targeted at broadening the influence of the Pakistan-based terror organization in the Northeast.
The prosecution highlighted that Kamruj Zaman played a crucial role in efforts to form and fortify extremist networks in Assam, acting on behalf of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.
He was apprehended in 2018 following a thorough investigation by central agencies.
The anti-terror agency submitted a charge sheet in March 2019 against five accused, including Kamruj Zaman and the other four suspects named in the case.
During the trial, Sahnawaz Alom, Saidul Alam, and Omar Faruk were found guilty after admitting their guilt.
The fifth accused, known as Jaynal Uddin, passed away due to health complications while the trial was ongoing.
Kamruj Zaman hails from Erakapili village under the Jamunamukh police jurisdiction in Hojai district, Assam.
Following his conviction, the accused has been moved to Guwahati Central Jail, where he will serve his sentence.
Security officials described this ruling as a substantial legal setback for terror groups attempting to extend their reach and influence in the northeastern region of the nation.