Kerala connection of SIMI under investigation

Thiruvanathapuram, Aug 17: The Kerala Police is investigating the activities of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in the state after revelations by the Gujarat Police that the nine men they arrested on Saturday, Aug 16 in Ahmedabad had been trained in a camp in Kerala.

The state's Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told reporters in Alappuzha that the state police are investigating these links and the Government would not be lenient against those involved in terror activities.

Balakrishnan further said: "Terrorists are operating in Kerala. But their main activities are outside the state. When we took police action against some of them, there was a hue and cry from Human Rights activists saying that minorities were being targeted. Human Rights activists should understand that it's just a minority among minority, which is indulging in such activities."

It may be recalled that the training camp was reportedly held by outlawed SIMI in the tourist place of Vagamon in Idukki district in December 2007.

A case in connection with the holding of the camp, which saw attendance of over 40 activists from different states, was registered at the Mundakkayam police station on June 19, 2008.

ANI