KOZHIKODE : After combing the mainland for suspected IS sympathisers, intelligence and enforcement agencies have upped their surveillance in Lakshadweep following specific inputs that 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 been taken to ensure that all the people coming to the island get police clearance and approval.
“We have been collating details based on certain inputs that a few hardline religious preachers have visited the island to interact with locals. All applications seeking permission to visit the island have been put under scrutiny and we have alerted the authorities,” said a senior officer.
Ever since the rise of terrorist activities by Indian Mujahideen (IM) and LeT in the country, agencies have been closely monitoring the activities on the islands. 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 gatherings. Many 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 locals to exploit their sponsorship facility to enter the island.
Mohammed Faizal P P, Lakshadweep MP, confirmed that a suspect attempted to enter the island a month ago, 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.