Maharashtra ATS chief Rakesh Maria in Mumbai on Monday and (below) Yashin Bhatkal. Pictures by Reuters and AFP

Darbhanga, Jan. 23: Residents of Deora Bandoli are shocked that their quiet little hamlet has grabbed the headlines for the dreaded T-word.

Naqi Ahmed Waqi Ahmed Sheikh, 22, and Nadeem Akhtar Ashfaq Sheikh, 23, both belonging to the village, located 60km from Darbhanga town and 150km north of Patna, have been booked under charges of terrorism for their alleged role in the Mumbai blasts of July 13, 2011, in which 27 people were killed.

According to the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad, the two men stole scooters from South Mumbai that were used in the explosions at Zaveri Bazaar and Opera House. The ATS also recovered two other motorcycles from Darbhanga stolen by the duo for possible use in the future.

For the villagers, it was inconceivable even a month ago that the two lads, who they described as “polite and courteous”, could have had a hand in terror activities.

On the evening of January 17, a Mumbai ATS team visited the home of Wasi Ahmed, the father of Naqi, and found a motorcycle. The team found a similar two-wheeler at Nad-eem’s home the same night. Both motorbikes had Maharashtra registration numbers.

Wasi Ahmad had started a business — he manufactured and sold leather and rexine bags at Okhla in New Delhi — in 1972. Around 10 years ago, Naqi left the village to help his father. Wasi returned to the village a few years ago and involved himself in farming while Naqi remained in Delhi.

Nadeem’s father, Ashfaq Akhtar, worked as a labourer at the Royal Oil Mill here. Nadeem studied till Class VI at the Maula Nagar madarsa in Pupuri of Sitamarhi.

In 1999, Nadeem left the village when his father shifted to Mumbai and took admission at a municipal school from where he passed his Class X exams. In between, Nadeem’s father returned home six years ago and engaged in farming. Nadeem carried on his studies at Mumbai where he said he was a BCom student at Akbar Pir College.

Nadeem’s elder brother Tarikh Akhtar has been working as a driver in Dubai for five years. Tarikh took the responsibility of his brother’s education in Mumbai.

Parents of both boys said their sons had been framed. “They can’ t even think of indulging in anti-national activi- ties,” a villager quoted Wasi as saying.