8 SIMI Members Encountered in Bhopal

On October 31, 2016, eight members of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) escaped from the high-security Bhopal Central Jail in Madhya Pradesh. Hours later, all eight were killed in a police encounter near the village of Eintkhedi, on the outskirts of Bhopal. 
Details of the incident:
  • The jailbreak: The men reportedly escaped from jail by slitting the throat of a prison guard with an improvised weapon and using bedsheets to scale the prison wall.
  • The encounter: According to police, the escaped prisoners were cornered by security forces and fired upon them, forcing the police to retaliate. The police claimed to have recovered four firearms and three knives from the men.
  • The controversy: The police version of events was met with widespread skepticism and controversy. Several videos emerged that appeared to contradict the official account, and questions were raised about the legitimacy of the encounter. Footage showed policemen abusing and shooting at the escapees, even when one appeared to be alive. Concerns were also raised about how the men, who had been in custody, obtained weapons.
  • Investigation and aftermath: A judicial inquiry was ordered into the incident. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also sent a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government to investigate. The families of the deceased activists sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, alleging that it was a "fake" encounter. 

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