NTJ cadres, still at large, should surrender forthwith

• Says NTJ members should be rehabilitated as done to ex-LTTE combatants

Vanni District UPFA MP Kader Masthan said the remaining members of National Tawheed Jamaat (NTJ) should surrender to the security forces forthwith and later be rehabilitated with those arrested previously.  

The only Muslim to be elected on the UPFA ticket at the 2015 parliamentary election, MP Masthan said NTJ members should be rehabilitated as done to ex-LTTE combatants. 

“There were a few persons who had joined NTJ. But this group did not have anything to do with Islam. It holds the ideology of committing suicide for Allah (God). However, Islam does not propagate suicide. Hence, it is downright wrong to refer to NTJ as an Islamic outfit. 

Security forces should be careful when carrying out operations with regard to this sensitive matter. The media has highlighted these incidents thus painting a wrong picture

There had been instances where several individuals were arrested for ‘misunderstanding.’ Tawheed Jamaat means there is only one God. A few individuals who have nothing to do with NTJ have been put behind bars after having in their possession books and articles with this title. Security forces should be careful when carrying out operations with regard to this sensitive matter. The media has highlighted these incidents thus painting a wrong picture,” he said. 

Commenting on the recovery of swords in mosques, he said there must have been instances where people left such items in places of worship as they were afraid to keep them in their homes. 

Responding to a question raised by a journalist on allegations levelled against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, he said a proper investigation should be carried out to determine the truth. 

Islam does not propagate suicide. Hence, it is downright wrong to refer to NTJ as an Islamic outfit