Asaduddin Owaisi turned down an offer for the second-highest ‘Z’ category security and wants an anti-terror case over the shooting.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) car was shot at while he was returning to Delhi after campaigning in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut a day ago.
He spoke in Parliament today about the attack and said, “I don’t want Z category security. I want to be an A category citizen, at par with you all. Why was UAPA not invoked against those who fired at me?” he said, referring to the extreme anti-terror law that has been extensively used in recent times by BJP-led state governments and the center, and according to analysts, unfairly against Muslims.
“I want to live, to speak. My life will be safe when the poor are safe. I will not get scared of those who shot at my car,” he said in Parliament.
While the government had determined to provide him with Z category security by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) after reviewing the threat level in the light of last night’s attack, just a week ahead of elections in Uttar Pradesh, he refused it.
Two people have been arrested for firing at his convoy at Meerut’s Kithoudh area, police said, and have been sent to 14 days’ custody.
One of the accused is Sachin Hindu, a resident of Noida who has an earlier attempt to murder case against him.
In his Facebook profile, Sachin says he is a member of a Hindu right-wing organization and calls himself “Deshbhakt Sachin Hindu”. There are pictures of him seen with BJP leaders according to The Live TV
The other accused is Shubham, a farmer from Saharanpur who does not have a criminal record.
According to police, the two have told them during the investigation that they were upset with remarks made by Mr. Owaisi and his brother and MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi.
Police have recovered country-made pistols from them which they had recently purchased. Police are now looking for the people they bought the firearms from.
Images tweeted by Mr. Owaisi from the toll plaza showed two bullet holes on his white SUV, which remains at the spot. The third bullet allegedly hit a tyre. The MP left the area in another car.
The AIMIM leader had spoken at a public meeting in Meerut while campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh election which is to start on February 10.
You might also want to read https://hamslivenews.com/2022/02/04/us-raid-on-isis-chief-blew-himself-up-and-others-up-in-suicide-bomb/