On Thursday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided the house of Mohammad Aleem, a 45-year-old Muslim chicken vendor, in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district. Aleem, who operates in Bajpatti, near the India-Nepal border, was taken by the NIA for interrogation.
The NIA team reached Aleem’s house to carry out its operation around 4:00 am, shocking Aleem and his family who are hardly able to afford food twice a day.
After searching the entire house as the family stood outside watching the officers, Aleem was taken into custody for interrogation.
After five long hours of interrogation, Aleem was released on personal bond from the Bajpatti police station but his phone was confiscated.
Aleem’s wife and seven children sit outside their home, hungry and confused about what is happening to them. Speaking to The Millat Times, Aleem’s wife expressed shock over the entire incident and said, “They mentioned nothing about why this raid was being carried out. They looked at every single corner pillaging our home, every utensil was checked but they found nothing.”
She said, “They recorded everything, if we had committed any crime, only then we can be punished.”
Elaborating about the search operation, she said, “They checked my children’s books and examined all documents we have at home.”
A relative and neighbour to Aleem said, “There were at least 15 men and women officers who came here. We were all scared and confused, especially the children. They didn’t let us use washrooms or go anywhere. We were made to stand in one place. We kept thinking what went wrong so many officers came.”
Fathima Khatun, Aleem’s mother said, “My child doesn’t even smoke. He is innocent and I know that.”
As stated by the family and locals, the NIA also raided Aleem’s dilapidated shop and searched everywhere.
A local said, “They checked between the wings of chicken as if something was hidden in them. What will they find in a shop that looks like this?”
Many neighbours and locals who know Aleem claimed his innocence and said, “He works hard and is trying to serve his family.”
