Extremists strengthening presence in Kasargod

KASARGOD: A highly disturbing situation is fast emerging in Kasargod as religious extremists are trying to strengthen their presence in this communally sensitive area.

There seems to be a conspiracy to disturb communal peace here going by the actions of some youths to foment trouble on the anniversary day of Babri Masjid demolition on December 6.

In executing their action, extremist elements in the CPM, the INL and the PDP here are emerging as a single group cutting across the ideological and political divide. One of the students who hoisted a black flag in a school in Kanhangad on December 6 belonged to the SFI.

Out of the six youths, who stoned the tanker lorry at Chengala, five belonged to the INL and one to the IUML. According to the police, the youths nabbed for pelting stones on buses, police jeeps and trucks at various places on December 6 belonged to the INL, PDP and the CPM.

The INL and IUML youths planned the attack on vehicles at a deserted house in Santhosh Nagar. Police said that the youths were motivated by their elders.

According to intelligence sources, Kasargod is sitting on a powder keg. Two instances of communal violence had been reported from the area recently. Choori in Madhur Grama Panchayat was rocked by communal violence after the civic poll.

Though the extremists on both sides had tried to stoke violence, the police had put it down in a single night. Keezhur, a coastal area, was also rocked by violence when two groups clashed.

According to sources, the INL leaders have been using the emotive issue of Babri Majsid demolition repeatedly in their public speeches. They said these emotional speeches were making a profound impact on the impressionable mind of the youths, who could never forget the destruction of the Masjid.