Kerala turns hotbed of Islamic extremism

Author: S Chandrasekhar
Publication: Organiser
Date: September 30, 2001

Ever since the assumption of office by the Congress-led UDF in Kerala, of which the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is a major ally, there has been a spurt in violent activities by Islamic fundamentalists, especially National Development Front (NDF).

The NDF that shot into prominence during the post-Ayodhya period by circulating distorted maps of, India without J&K was the main perpetrator of atrocities against Hindus at Nadapuram. The embers at Nadapuram are still simmering where several people were killed, women raped houses and property worth crores destroyed. The NDF, which has a network and well-oiled cadre machinery in the entire Muslim pockets of Kerala, has infiltrated all major parties of Kerala like CPM, Congress and I . The role of the N-DF in the Nadapuram violence came to light with the arrest of six NDF workers for the murder of a CPM worker.

The dark hand of the NDF was also behind the visit of Hurriyat leaders to Kerala. In fact, Abdul Ghani Lone openly preached secession from India and creation of a separate country of Kashmir during his meetings in Thiruvananthapuram and 'Kozhikkode.

The fact that NDF was imparting weapons training to its cadres became clear with the arrest of 13 youths from the camps of Government Victoria College, Palakkad, recently. The arrested were undergoing training to use bombs, swords, Kalaripayattu (a traditional Kerala martial art), etc, when rounded up in the dead of the night.

The RSS and the VHP have been steadily warning the State Government and the police that mosques were being used by NDF for arms training and weapon storage. This was also confirmed with the raid conducted by the police at Cherumoth mosque at Valayam near Nadapuram. Thirty-four crude bombs, 33 pistols and ammunition, 30 swords, seven axes, 10 kg of gun-powder and materials for making bombs like glass pieces, lead shots, gelatine sticks and unidentified red and white explosive powders which require deeper forensic study were recovered from the mosque. Several Islamic extremists wanted in cases of arson, violence and looting were also taken into custody.

The role of the NDF in the murder of a BJP worker Dayananda in Kumbala in Kasargod district, recently, is also pinpointed.

The State Organising Secretary of the VHP, Shri Kummanam Rajasekharan has alleged that Islamic extremism has gained momentum in 123 trouble spots of Kerala and the visit of the Hurriyat leaders to Kerala has given an impetus to their activities. He added that despite requests by all Hindu organisations, the State Government refused to ban the visit. He called for a ban on the NDF and State-wide crackdown on its training centres to prevent Kerala from becoming another Kashmir.

Shri K. Raman Pillai, BJP National Council member, has lambasted the nexus between UDF leaders and Islamic extremists. He said that a clear proof to it was the visit of several Congress leaders to the Coimbatore jail to meet Abdul Nazer Madhani, the prime accused in the Coimbatore bomb blast case. He had called on the Centre to view the situation in Kerala seriously.
 


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