Train fire terror suspect Shahrukh Saifi has been nabbed from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, last night. The arrest has been carried out by Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (MATS) and Railway Protection Force (RPF). Some reports suggest that Kerala Police got the information only after the arrest. Saifi is in the custody of MATS. He was nabbed when he went to a hospital for treatment for his injuries. Central agencies gave enough leads to MATS, it is reported.
Apparently, the sketch prepared for Kerala Police does not resemble the real picture of the suspect available in the media. MATS achieved this ‘victory’ with the help of scientific evidences.
Kerala Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Railway Police of Kerala had moved to Maharashtra, Delhi, etc., immediately after collecting the information from the notebook got from the bag reportedly left behind by the terrorist. Saifi has sustained several injuries on his face.
It is reported that the history of the SIM card in the mobile phone got from the bag gave a proper lead to nab the suspect.
Now NIA is highly likely to take over the case. It is not clear when Saifi will be taken to Kerala for interrogation.
Forensic and digital evidences are very significant in this case. The incident once again proves that Kerala has become a haven of terror activists. Central agencies have reportedly informed Kerala that lot of terror activists use the soil of Kerala for their planning and anchoring of terror activities in other parts of the country and even abroad. Even though the Popular Front of India (PFI) is banned, its sleeper cells are very active in the State. It is very much significant that the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), PFI’s political arm, is still free to carry out their activities as a legitimate political party.
The migrant labour in Kerala, their strength assessed to be several lakhs, are living in the State sans any sort of documental control. Lakhs of them are reportedly living in the small town of Perumbavoor, Ernakulam district.
The place selected for the operation is of utmost importance. Reports suggest that there are huge oil tanks somewhere very close to the railway track in the area. Therefore, there were chances for serious consequences.
It is high time the Government of Kerala took serious steps to curb the terror activities in the State. State Intelligence should articulate their actions accordingly.
