The Anti-Terror Squad raided a house in Alangad, Aluva, near Kochi, and seized arms along with a significant sum of money. The residence belonged to an individual named Riaz. Police have reportedly stated that Riaz is affiliated with a notorious gang operating in Aluva and nearby areas.
The raid was conducted based on the confidential information received by the Anti-Terror Squad. The squad enlisted the assistance of the Aluva West Police Superintendent for the operation, which targeted four houses in the area. During the raid at Riaz’s residence, authorities seized two revolvers, two pistols, two daggers, and Rs 9 lakhs. Riaz has been under police surveillance for some time. He has now been taken into custody for interrogation.
The NIA and Anti-Terror Squad have seized large quantities of arms from various parts of the State in the past. So far, no links between Riaz and any terror outfit have been unearthed.
Kerala has become a shelter for religious extremists due to vote-bank politics between the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).
The Kerala Legislative Assembly is the only one in the country that has passed a unanimous resolution. Notably, it unanimously called for the release of Abdul Nasr Madani during his time in Tamil Nadu jail after the Coimbatore blast in 1998, which resulted in the death of 58 innocent people; 20 people were injured in the blast series. In December 2019, it opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), followed by a resolution against the Farmers Bill on December 31, 2020. In other words, they join hands against the country’s interests.
After the Union Government banned the Popular Front of India (PFI), both political fronts in Kerala openly criticized the Government’s decision. Reports emerged suggesting that the Kerala Police hesitated to take swift action against the leaders and members of the banned organization, delaying raids on their offices. Consequently, when actions were finally initiated, several leaders managed to evade arrests and hide incriminating documents. Eventually, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had to nab most of them.
