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Kerala police bust ISI-backed extremist group

D Jose in Trivandrum

The gang busted by the Kerala police at Kannur (Cannanore) on Friday is believed to be part of the Islamic fundamentalist network that has become active with the support of the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence to create law-and-order problems in the state.

The group, named 'Majlis', is said to be a reincarnation of the Islamic Sewak Sangh, which was banned by the Government of India following the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

Former ISS chief Abdul Nassar Madani had given shape to the new outfit before his arrest in connection with the Coimbatore blasts.

Several persons associated with the ISS at one time are among the leading lights of Majlis. Madani's bodyguard Amir Ali is believed to be the leader of the eight-member gang busted by the police.

The outfit has attracted members from other extremist organisations like the National Development Front, which is active against what it calls 'un-Islamic practices' in Malappuram and other Muslim-dominated areas in the northern parts of the state.

The gang fell into the police net following the arrest of a 27-year-old named Ismail while trying to distribute counterfeit currency, allegedly supplied by the ISI, in the state's Muslim belt.

Ismail's interrogation led to the arrest of two other persons, Masood (22) and Sabir Ali (20). Five others thought to be associated with the gang are still at large.

Police sources told rediff.com that the gang was engaged in a plot to annihilate top politicians in the state, including Chief Minister E K Nayanar. They said the group had kept ready several 'human bombs' for this purpose.

Those arrested have confessed to having been groomed by Madani's bodyguard. Amir Ali had rented a house at Pannenpara near Cannanore, on the pretext of setting up a marketing office for electronic goods, to train the human bombs. Police failed to find any trace of such activity in the house. But they did collect evidence to show that the house was used to give guerrilla training to fundamentalists.

The Majlis was floated with the professed aim of 'reforming' Muslim youths who had strayed into 'un-Islamic' activities. Their first prey was a taxi driver, Azad, who defied their attempts to keep him away from liquor. Enraged, the fundamentalists hacked him to death and threw his remains into the sea. Some members of the gang busted by the police are accused of the murder.

The group had planned a series of operations aimed at securing Madani's release. Nayanar was top of their list as Madani was arrested on his orders.

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