GUWAHATI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Lucknow on Tuesday, December 10, sentenced Kamruz Zaman, a key member of the banned Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, to life imprisonment. Zaman received multiple sentences, including rigorous imprisonment and life imprisonment, for his involvement in a terror conspiracy targeting Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India. He was also fined for offences under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
ALSO READ: Gauhati HC Directs Expedited Hearing Of Criminal Cases Involving MPs & MLAs
Zaman, a resident of Hojai district in Assam, was found guilty of planning attacks on Hindu temples and raising funds for the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Investigations revealed that he had been radicalised by co-accused Osama Bin Javed, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in 2019. Both Zaman and Javed were recruited and trained in weaponry by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen operatives Mohammad Amin and Riyaz Ahmad from Jammu and Kashmir. They were instructed to establish terror bases within India.
The NIA took over the case in September 2018 from the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad and filed charges against five individuals, including Zaman. The court found Zaman guilty of waging war against the government, conspiring to carry out terrorist acts, and supporting a banned organisation. He had conducted reconnaissance of potential targets in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and was in the process of setting up terror bases when he was apprehended.
Assam Director General of Police, GP Singh, took to his official social media platform to repost the National Investigation Agency (NIA) India's tweet regarding the sentencing of Kamruz Zaman. In his post, Singh praised the outcome, stating, “Good to see the fruits of labour. Well done Team @assampolice & @NIA_India.”