Shia Leaders Demand Security After Man Arrested For Poisoning Attempt In Mazgaon
Shia community leaders have demanded enhanced security for upcoming Muharram processions in Mumbai following the arrest of a Pune resident who allegedly distributed toxic chemical capsules to participants. The incident occurred during an Ashura procession along the route from Imamwada Road to the Rahmatabad Cemetery in Mazgaon, prompting urgent safety concerns for upcoming religious gatherings.
The Mumbai Police arrested 39-year-old Fayyaz Premji, a resident of Pune, on Friday night. Premji is accused of distributing capsules suspected to contain zinc phosphide, a highly toxic chemical commonly used in rat poison, to people participating in the procession.
Maulana Yasoob Abbas, General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, stated that he spoke directly to Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Manoj Kumar Sharma to demand strict action against the accused. Abbas alleged that the suspect was unlikely to have acted alone and called for a thorough investigation into a potential wider conspiracy targeting the community's religious gatherings.
Abbas also requested local MLA Amin Patel to raise the security issue in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, noting that several Muharram processions are scheduled to take place over the coming weeks.
Investigators are currently probing the motive behind the alleged poisoning plot. Social media posts have indicated that Premji was previously associated with volunteer activities, including blood donation camps organised by the Khoja Shia community, before reportedly becoming estranged over his religious views. He is also alleged to have travelled to Iran and circulated videos critical of religious leaders, including one viral video where he purportedly claimed to have renounced his faith.
The incident took place on Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, when Shia Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain. In light of the incident, Shuaib Khatib, a trustee of the Jama Masjid, also appealed to authorities to enhance security arrangements during major upcoming religious festivals, including Muharram and Ganeshotsav.
