ATS discusses IS threats with Muslim clerics

The meeting was called after directives from Additional Director General of Police (ATS) Vivek Phansalkar and Special Inspector General of Police (ATS) Niket Kaushik.

The Pune unit of the state anti-terrorism squad (ATS) on Monday held a meeting with as many as 150 Muslim clerics from various masjids and madarsas and alerted them about the terror threats by the Islamic state (IS).

The meeting was called after directives from Additional Director General of Police (ATS) Vivek Phansalkar and Special Inspector General of Police (ATS) Niket Kaushik. At the meeting, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ATS) Bhanupratap Barge asked the clerics and activists to keep a close watch on suspicious persons and inform the ATS about the possible threats.

There have been reports of IS groups luring young Indians into taking up terror activities. IS has been indulging in online propaganda using social networking media to attract Indian youths.

ATS officials discussed the possible threats from IS and steps that need to be taken to control the menace. It was decided that initiatives to bridge the gap between citizens and ATS would be taken up. The ATS assured that injustice would not be done to anybody and more such meetings would be held in future.
The ATS also decided to use social media groups to spread awareness about sensitive issues and staying connected with citizens. Pune ATS has already launched a drive ‘Me, Anti-Terrorist’ to spread awareness about terrorism.

Meanwhile, leaders like Abdul Salam Ansari, Anis Akbar Khan, Sadiq Isaq Qureshi, Shakeel Patel, Haji Nadaf Saheb, Abdul Qaiyyum and Maulana Qazi Mohammed Idris Ansari expressed their views on the issue.

Police inspectors Vijay Patil, Arvind Gokule, Anil Shevale and assistant inspectors Satish Walke, Ashvini Jagtap and Sameer Gaikwad were also present.

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