Ban on SIMI: State may back Central move

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government is likely to take a stand in support of the Union Government move to ban the Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

IG Intelligence Arunkumar Sinha will present the view of the state on the issue before the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal in Delhi on Wednesday. Police sources said that the State Government had earlier maintained a stand favouring the ban.

There were reports that the SIMI was active in the state and that the activists of SIMI were working under the cover of various other social organisations. The police also suspect that the girls’ wing of the outfit is active in the state.

The Centre had imposed a ban on the SIMI in 2001 and later renewed it. The ban had lapsed in September 2005. Subsequently, the Centre issued a fresh notification in February this year banning the SIMI.