Reports suggest that central agencies have confirmed the terror link between the Elathur Train Fire and Shahrukh Saifi. National Investigation Agency (NIA) is highly likely to take over the investigation.
According to the central investigation agencies, Shahrukh Saifi, the suspect from Shaheen Bagh in Delhi, did not travel to Kerala alone. Rather, he was brought to Kerala with the intention of carrying out a massive attack by setting fire to an entire train bogie.
Reports say it was a larger design. The original plan was to burn the entire bogie, but it did not happen, thanks to the lack of enough training for the men who operated it. The Elathur arson attack would have been beyond imagination if it had occurred since Hindustan Petroleum’s oil tanks were nearby.
Target was a big sabotage. If NIA takes over, there is every chance for slapping Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on Saifi. If so, UAPA Section 16 is likely to be slapped on him; the clause is for terrorist activities and resultant murder.
Now a lot of questions remain for answer:
1) Are more people involved in the design/execution?
2) Why was Kerala selected?
3) Who is the master who gave instruction?
4) Who are the supporters in Kerala?
5) Who are the conspirators? And, the place of conspiracy?
6) Actual target?
7) Link with terrorist outfits?
8) Is Shehrooq Saifi a member of any sleeper cell?
There are reports that Saif left Delhi by Sampark Kranthi Express and reached Kozhikode on March 31. He reportedly bought petrol from a filling station in Shoranur and then boarded Alappuzha – Kannur Express. Men at the filling station allegedly confirmed that a Hindi-speaking man bought petrol. Whether he went there alone or with someone else is yet to be explored. It is reported that agencies got CCTV visuals of the ‘purchase’.
Meanwhile, according to reports that a severe security lapse occurred in the medical college as a media man was allegedly permitted to meet Saifi in the hospital. (This is on top of the security lapse in Kasaragod when Saifi was being taken to Kozhikode, from Ratnagiri, by road.
The police vehicle’s tyre punctured, the alternative car broke down, etc. Moreover, he was guarded by three police personnel!). There are reports that the media man alleged to have visited the medical college and also visited Saifi has a controversial background.
There were allegations that this journalist was involved in the conspiracy to trap the Forest Range Officer M.K. Sameer, who unearthed the infamous Muttil (Wayanad) tree felling case, in a fake case and discussed the matter with the accused in the tree felling case.
There was the allegation that he used a fake degree certificate to get an Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) passport. There are reports that he was caught with a fake degree certificate while participating in a Media Course conducted by Defense Ministry.
The journalist’s visit is confirmed by the footage a TV channel got; it is to be remembered that media men were kept aloof from the Saifi, a report says.
The journalist’s social media posts in the past praised Communist Party of India (CPM) supremo and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He reportedly has a good rapport with CPM brass in the state.
If the allegation that the journalist had visited Saifi is true, it is to be assumed that he got the permission of somebody in the special investigation team.
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