Terrorist organisations often build their ecosystems through fearmongering or by brainwashing the innocent to serve their ideology. Threatening witnesses has long been a key tactic to maintain control over people aware of their operations.
A similar pattern has now emerged in Kerala, where a key witness named Fayaz, connected to an Islamic State (IS) recruitment case, was allegedly threatened by Fazal Rehman, a member of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). The incident has raised serious concerns about the continued influence of banned extremist networks operating under new banners.
A case has been registered against SDPI activist Fazal Rehman for intimidating the witness. Two FIRs have been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS) for aiding terrorist activities. Rehman, previously an activist of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI), joined SDPI, its political offshoot, after the PFI’s proscription.
According to reports, the terrorist recruitment camp in question was held on 2 October 2016 at Kanakamala in Kannur district. Acting on an Intelligence Bureau alert, an NIA special team raided the site and arrested several individuals involved. The Kanakamala area, under the Chokli Police Station limits, is known to be a stronghold of the CPM in Kerala.
Investigations revealed that the arrested individuals were plotting a series of blasts across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Fayaz, one of the accused, later turned approver in the case. The NIA FIR now confirms that SDPI members attempted to intimidate him to obstruct justice. Reports indicate that the NIA will soon launch a detailed inquiry into this threat.
In the original 2016 Islamic State (ISIS) terror plot case, six individuals were found guilty of conspiring to carry out attacks in Kerala and neighbouring states. They were sentenced to varying jail terms — 14 years, 10 years, 8 years, 7 years, and two for 3 years — while one accused was acquitted.
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