Kochi, Kozhikode under SIMI terror threat

Officials from various Intelligence agencies had recently met secretly, particularly because the top leadership of the SIMI has several Keralaites.

The Intelligence gathering wing has also found out that some leaders from Kerala were in the team of SIMI leaders who had met representatives of the Afghan warlord Mullah Omer.

Sources said that the meeting was held at Belgaum, Karnataka and decided to have further studies on the geography and the population density of Kozhikode and Kochi. It is also learnt that the organization was asked to give a detailed game plan on the operation by the Afghan representatives. The recent meeting of the top brass of the Indian Intelligence agencies in the State draws significance in this context.

It may be recalled that two highly qualified computer engineers, Shibil and Kuttiamu were arrested in Bhopal and Bangalore respectively after tip-offs to the police. Both these engineers were found to be hardcore activists of the SIMI and Intelligence agencies point out that all the banned organsiations are utilizing highly skilled youngsters who are doing their studies in good colleges after passing the entrance examinations with flying colours.

The Malappuram and Kozhikode district police officials have also been alerted on the possibility of a SIMI-orchestrated attack in Kochi and Kozhikode. The presence of pipe bombs in Kallayi River is proof of the involvement of some top political leaders with this organization.

According to Intelligence sources, SIMI is presently trying to increase its base in all parts of the State and to get a clear picture on the possibility of the spread of the activities in the State.

The weakness of the Muslim politics, which was hitherto confined to the Muslim League and with the sudden emergence of Abdul Nasser Madani, is not in a position to assert itself in the State now. Madani, after his long innings in prisons, has transformed himself into a more spiritually oriented person and this has taken the aggressive Muslim politics in the State a backseat.

SIMI is trying to capitalize on this lacuna and is using all possible methods to select fresh cadre into the organisation.