KOZHIKODE: After combing the mainland for suspected Islamic State (IS) sympathisers, the intelligence and enforcement agencies have now upped their surveillance in Lakshadweep following specific inputs that a few suspected IS operatives under the guise of religious preachers had visited the island in the last couple of months. Intelligence officials said an attempt by a suspect to get into the island was flagged recently and measures have taken to ensure that all the people coming to the island had to get police clearance and approval from the administrator.
“We have been collating details based on certain inputs that a few hardline religious preachers have visited the island to interact with the local people. All applications seeking permission to visit the island have been put under scrutiny and we have alerted the authorities concerned,” said a senior officer.
Ever since the rise of terrorist activities mainly by Indian Mujahideen (IM) and LeT in the country, the agencies have been closely monitoring the activities in the island. It is suspected that the local Muslim community is getting influenced by Wahabism. “We are monitoring the activities of a few suspected groupings taking place in the name of religious gathering. Many of the locals coming to the mainland are also being watched as they go out of the country frequently,” the officers said. They said the anti-national elements were influencing the locals to exploit the sponsorship facility of the locals to enter the island.
Mohammed Faizal P P, Lakshadweep MP, confirmed that there was an attempt by a suspect to enter the island a month back but was thwarted by the enforcement agencies. “We have apprised the Union Government of the necessity to strengthen monitoring activities in and around the island apart from introducing stringent scrutiny of non-islanders seeking permission to enter the island,” he said.
Strong warning
A recent security review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which was attended by top officers of Lakshwadeep, had specifically directed the island administration to conduct a security audit considering the rising threat of terrorism.