An attack on the Kadavumbhagam Synagogue on Ernakulam Market Road in Kochi came to light after banners and flex boards erected in front of the synagogue were set on fire during the early hours of October 12. A youth has been taken into custody in connection with the incident and interrogated by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other investigative agencies amid suspicions regarding his possible terror links.
The attack against the Kadavumbhagam Synagogue occurred at 2.40 am on October 12. The area is one of the busiest places in Ernakulam town. The synagogue is under 24×7 police security in the wake of the West Asia conflicts. The attacker came in a car, poured petrol and set fire to the banners and flex boards without attracting the attention of the police.
The managing trustee of the synagogue, Elias Josephayi, runs a horticultural nursery and ornamental fish shop there. His employee found the burnt banners and flex boards in the morning. He is living on the synagogue premises. The police took the youth into custody during their search for the car. The registration number of the car was traced from the CCTV footage.
The youth was taken to the Kochi City Police Club and interrogated for several hours. The car was not with him when he was caught by the police. Unconfirmed reports state that the car was taken into custody during the night of October 12.
According to the youth’s preliminary statement, he burnt the banners and flex boards at the behest of someone else, whom he had not seen at all. This caused suspicion regarding his terror links, hence the interrogation by the central agencies. The agencies are also inquiring into the possibility of the youth having attempted to enter the synagogue compound and launch an attack. He has reportedly bought petrol from a filling station in the city. He is reported to be a resident within the jurisdiction of the Aluva Rural Police. The police have not disclosed further details.
Since the attacker used petrol to burn the banners and flex boards in front of the synagogue, observers do not take this incident lightly. Islamic terrorists’ animosity towards anything with Jewish links is well known. That is why the incident is serious.
