Family members of Hasnat Sheikh, the 23-year-old youth hailing from Sujapur of Malda, who was recently arrested from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh by special task force (STF) of the state police, have claimed that he had no connection with any terrorist group.

They have said “an impartial probe” would prove that he was “wrongly” arrested. According to STF sources, the youth was arrested for his “suspicious activities” and alleged involvement with Al Qaeda in Indian Sub Continent.

A section of neighbours of the arrested youth, too, claimed that it seemed incredible that the apparently gentle looking youth could have a connection with any international terrorist outfit.Hasnat was a student of Islamic theology at a madrasa at Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

Prior to that, he had studied at a madrasah in Burdwan district where he joined after completing studies in a local madrasah at Nazirpur Darakani village of Sujapur area under Kaliachak police station of the district. “He is calm in nature. It is hard to believe that he could be involved with any kind of terrorist activity. I know my son better than anyone. Probably there is some mistake that has led to his arrest,” said Rezi Bibi, his mother.

The family members claimed Hasnat even did not have much money in his possession. “We used to pay for his education,” she added.Semi Bibi, a relative of the youth, said he would mostly remain busy in studies and has been a good student. It has been learnt from police and STF sources that Hasnat was under the scanner for a long time.

Even STF officials were keeping a close watch on him. “Earlier, a team of STF visited his house to gather information about him. It was learnt that he was studying in Saharanpur. Finally, he was arrested on Tuesday night and has been brought to Calcutta for interrogation,” said a source.

In course of investigation of the murder case of a popular blogger of Bangladesh, the name of an organisation — Al Qaeda in Indian Sub Continent — had come to surface.“Some evidence suggested that Hasnat might have a close connection with the organization. He was trained in IED making and also in information technology by the organization. His interrogation might lead to further revelations,” the source added.The family members claimed that district police also sought some information on Hasnat from them.

Later, STF officials summoned his father Saidul Sheikh, a vegetable vendor, to Calcutta, the family members said.Hasnat is the second of four sons of Saidul and Rezi and wanted to be a cleric. His elder brother Shariff is a mason while his younger brother Kayum is a daily rated worker. Two others, a brother and a sister are school students.District police officials, when contacted, were brief in their reactions.“We have information about his arrest. But it is the STF which is investigating the case, said Pradeep Kumar Yadav, SP, Malda.