KOCHI: The Kochi City Police investigating the seizure of counterfeit currency notes from an Erumeli-native recently suspect that Maoists are sourcing the fake currencies flowing into Kerala.
The police have passed information to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) about Erumeli-native Muhammad Sherif, suspected to be having Maoist links, who was arrested with counterfeit currencies.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Harishankar, Muhammad during interrogation said that fake currencies were procured from Maoist-affected areas in Odisha, bordering Andhra Pradesh. “We have passed the information to the NIA. The Internal Security Investigation Team (ISIT) and the anti-terror squad of the Kerala Police have also been informed about the matter. Certain aspects in the case require detailed probe, and some of the names given by the accused raise suspicion. Muhammad Sherif is currently being interrogated in police custody,” he said.
A top officials with the ISIT said only a few cases related to procurement of fake currencies by Maoist groups have been reported in Kerala. In the other states, cases related to fake currency, ganja plantation and red sander smuggling involving Maoist groups have been reported. “Fake currencies come from Bangladesh through Assam and Bengal borders,” said official.Muhammad Sherif was arrested during a drive launched after fake currencies were seized at many places in the city, including shops and railway stations. The case was registered at the North police station here.