Mysuru: Dreaded Islamic State (ISIS) militants have spread their tentacles in Kodagu, the land of coffee. The Police have got sufficient leads to establish the presence of recruitment activity in the district and once the youths are brainwashed and taken into their fold, they are trained in militant activities.

Two persons, who were arrested on Thursday (Oct.26) by the Kannur Police upon suspicion that they were recruiting youths to ISIS in Kerala, are said to have revealed that their association is active in Kodagu.

A team, led by Kannur Dy.SP Sadanandan, had arrested V.K. Hamsa alias Biriyani Hamsa alias Taliban Hamsa, 52, a resident of Thalassery and his associate Manaf Rahman, 44.

It is said that Manaf was prevented by the Police from flying to Syria about six months ago. Since then, the sleuths were closely monitoring the movements of Manaf. A day prior to the arrest of Hamsa and Manaf, the Police had arrested five persons, including K.V. Mithilaj, K.V. Abdul Rajak and M.V. Rasheed, and they have been remanded in Judicial custody till Nov. 25.

The Police said Hamsa had fled to Gulf countries using a fake Passport in 1988 and he was arrested 20 years later for the crime in Mumbai. He played an active role in identifying potential youth and used to brainwash them by saying ISIS was the real Islam.

The Police suspect that Hamsa has close links with IS spokesperson Abu Thurki. He is said to have been trained by an association based in Nigeria and Ras Ul Khaima University.

CNC expresses concern over ISIS presence

Codava National Council (CNC) has suspected that Maoists and pro-ISIS activities are going on unabated in the landscapes of Kodagu district and has expressed fear that Kodagu will be made into a ‘Red Corridor or Black Corridor’ by the invisible hands that have been working to plant flags of Maoists and the ISIS.

CNC President N.U. Nachappa told Star of Mysore that the CNC has already brought the matter to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajith Doval and Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala.

The CNC has apprised that despite Kodagu district having several tribes living under very difficult circumstances, there have been instances in the past where they have shown their patriotism by refusing to be a part of any anti-national movement.

Kodagu is a hilly district with large expanses of difficult to access terrains, which would provide safe havens for the anti-national elements. Playing upon this, there are hands that have been striving to pave way for ‘Red Corridor’ and also facilitate the entry of dreaded terror outfit like ISIS, Nachappa said.