Centre & state probing matter of people joining IS: Kerala CM

KOCHI: Kerala government has taken the reports that some people found to be “missing” have joined the Islamic State ( IS) “very seriously”.

CM Pinarayi Vijayan said in the assembly that 17 people from Kasargod and 4 from Palakkad are reported to be “missing” under mysterious circumstances. He said that the state and Central government agencies are jointly investigating the matter.

Replying to a submission by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, he said the government has taken the matter seriously and will not make any compromise while probing the matter.

He said that according to reports some of them have joined IS. He,however, added that the attempts by some vested interests to hold one particular community responsible for the development will not be tolerated.

Terrorism has no religion, he said adding that the government will not allow anyone to make mileage out of the situation. There are 6 women and 3 children among the 21 people reported missing from the state.

Some reports say that a total of 24 people have left the state without revealing their destination.