Sri Lanka serial blasts: Coimbatore man denies links with NTJ

After being accused of having links with the Sri Lanks blasts, Ashiq and 7 others, who were arrested last September by Coimbatore Police, for plotting against Hindutva leaders denied having any links.

It was reported by NIA that the accused were aware of the recent Sri Lankan blasts. NIA also claimed to have alerted Sri Lanka about the conversation that had happened between the NTJ leader and the six accused.

One of the accused, Ashiq of Marakkadai said, "We don't have any connection with the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka. The NIA is trying to frame us by stating that we are in touch with Moulavi Zahran Bin Hashim of the National Thowheed Jama'at (NTJ)"

"Since NIA couldnt submit any evidences against us, we were granted bail. NIA has registered fake case against innocent Muslims and try to picturise Muslims as terrorists", he said.

Ashiq also added that he had been beaten up by the Coimbatore police and made him admit the crime. 

"I have not heard about ISIS earlier. I came to know about ISIS only after my arrest. I have not been in touch with the leader of NTJ as claimed by NIA" said Ashiq.

He also accused NIA of trying to portray muslims as terrorists, without conducting proper enquiry. Adding further he stated, NIA never interrogated him about NTJ.