KOCHI: Criticising the State Government for its alleged failure in acting tough on the terrorist elements which have been sheltered in the state, BJP national executive committee member and former union minister of state for home Haren Pathak has demanded an NIA probe into the incidents, including the Taliban-model attack on Newman College teacher TJ Joseph at Thodupuzha.
Speaking at a press conference in Kochi after visiting the family members of Joseph, he said the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) should be banned.
The Thodupuzha incident cannot be seen as an attack on an individual. There are indications of involvement of some terrorist groups in it, he said.
The investigation into the attack on Joseph is progressing at a slow pace, Pathak said.
"Terrorists have been sheltered in the state. The State Government should have cupped these kind of activities," Pathak said. The State Government is soft on the terrorist outfits functioning in the state. The State Government should bring out a white paper on the developments so far before handing over the case to the NIA, he said.
The BJP leaders comprising its national executive committee member Pinky Anand, Goa state vice-president Wilfred Mesquita, and party media cell coconvener Balasubrahmaniam also accompanied Pathak. They also visited Joseph's house and the spot of the attack. The team will submit its report to the BJP president on Monday or Tuesday. BJP state president B Muraleedharan was present on the occasion.