Kerala Muslim groups trying to mix religion, terror: Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Saturday said some Muslim organizations in the state were trying to propagate terrorism in the name of religion.

Addressing reporters here after chairing a meeting of Kerala Police officials, he said some of the Muslim organizations in the state are trying to whip up passion.

“Some of them are trying to experiment if terrorism can be propagated in the name of religion,” he said.

“The incident in Muvattupuzha where a college teacher’s palm was chopped off early this month should not be seen as just an incident but it is a clear case of a crime being done in the name of religion,” said Balakrishnan.

Police have so far arrested more than a dozen people who were behind the chopping off of the palm of the teacher who had prepared a question paper which had a veiled reference to the Prophet Mohammed.

The arrested people are activists of the Popular Front of India, a radical Muslim outfit.

“Besides this case, we also discussed the cutting of the brake pipe of a passenger train at Nilambur recently and the state government is of the opinion that this case has to be taken up by the National Investigation Agency,” the minister said.

“We also decided to look into 23 murder cases that have happened in the recent times and analyze them in detail,” said Balakrishnan.

Incidentally this meeting was the first after the government decided to set up an Internal Security Investigation Team under Additional Director General of Police Siby Mathews.

Balakrishnan also denied reports of difference of opinion between him and union Minister of State for Home Mullapally Ramachandran.

“We have no difference of opinion and we have a good working relationship. We have asked the central government to see that suitable amendments are made in rules regarding receiving foreign funding by organizations,” he said.

“Likewise the state government just can’t do anything on the money that is being received in the state through the Indian postal department with the help of Western Union Money Transfer. A lot of money is coming into the state,” said Balakrishnan.

He said that the best way for the police to be vigilant is through a good rapport between the people and police.

“We want people to come to the support of police and they should pass on information about any development in their locality. We have decided to expand the community policing from the present 43 police stations to 100 very shortly,” added Balakrishnan.