Mumbai: The 16-year-old girl from Pune who has been allegedly indoctrinated into joining Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) by arrested accused Mohammad Sirajuddin, an alleged ISIS operative, had met him on Facebook back in April this year. They exchanged phone numbers and the indoctrination continued on WhatsApp. The girl has been receiving counselling and the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) is taking legal advice on whether she could be booked under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.
The girl was ready to leave India for ISIS and was promised by her indoctrinators that they would get her out of the country in a year and take care of her higher studies in Syria.
The girl, who is a “bright student” had dreamed of becoming a doctor, said ATS sources. She completed her studies from an English-medium school and is in FYJC. She used to mix about with all friends but around April this year she became an introvert.
Before coming across Sirajuddin, the girl happened to see a documentary on a news channel about the war in Syria and about ISIS. Out of curiosity, the girl read more on the burning issue and came in touch with Sirajuddin on Facebook. “Sirajuddin pounced on the opportunity and misled the girl,” said the ATS source. The girl was also reading about the issue through Twitter and an application.
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After learning about her activities, the Pune ATS unit reached out to her parents who were shocked. “Her parents are liberal and rational. They did say that there was a big change in her lifestyle. But were shocked when we told them what she was up to,” said the ATS source.
The girl was also in touch with ISIS sympathisers from Maharashtra and Sri Lanka. In fact, she was in touch with a Sri Lankan who after chatting with her got impressed and added her to their ISIS Facebook groups. She then came in touch with Sirajuddin. Her indoctrinators made her ensure that she will be ready to do “anything” for their cause. They also tutored her on how she should evade police and if arrested or detained how she should deal with the situation.
The ATS officials spoke with her in the presence of her parents. Islamic leaders too are counselling the girl. “The girl is showing changes. She seems to have understood that she was being misled. She will take sometime to be de-radicalised. We are finding out if she fits in the legal ambit of being booked for her actions,” said an ATS source.
