Radicalisation Of Indian Muslims -2

[Guest]

<b>Simi cells active in Maha interiors </b>


Mumbai, April 17: The anti-terrorist squad (ATS) of the Maharashtra police suspects that <b>six sleeper cells of "ansars," or helpers of the banned Students’ Islamic Movement of India (Simi), have quietly become operational in the interiors of the state and are waiting to act on command.</b> The police claimed that these sleeper cells had fled to the interior regions of the state because of the ATS’ operations in urban areas.

While the police refused to reveal where these cells could be located, sources said <b>predominantly Muslim localities in Malegaon, Aurangabad, and Bhiwandi were being combed</b>. "They are certainly trying to build their network in Maharashtra by motivating people from the interiors as they think they are not under our vigilance," said the ATS joint commissioner of police, Mr Hemant Karkare. <b>Another senior ATS official said there are between 50 and 60 ansars in Maharashtra alone.</b>