Youths selected from Kerala for terrorist activities

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 26 (UNI) Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told the State Assembly that ''Noorisa Thareeqath,'' a Hyderabad-based Muslim outfit, had recruited youths from the state for terrorist activities.

In a written reply to Mr Joseph M Puthussery (KC-M), he said a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by a DIG, had collected information in this regard.

Mr Balakrishnan said the SIT had found out that this organisation had selected youths from the state and sent to Kashmir for anti-national actitives giving them training.

Investigation still continued and a clear picture on the number of recruits would be available only after it was completed.

However, the government had noted that no extremist activities had taken place in the state with the help of foreign militant groups.

Mr Balakrishnan said a letter had been received form the intelligence Bureau on November six informing about extremist activities. However, the state government had not received any warning from the IB, RAW or Military Intelligence that terrorist activates were taking place in the state before four Keralites were shot dead by security forces in Kashmir.

UNI CGV SV AS1743