Presence of Qaeda operatives among workers causes concern

LAPTOP, MOBILE phone, pamphlets were recovered from their possession. NIA questioned many people living in the labour camp from where the Al-Qaeda operatives were held to get more information about the three.

The arrest of three Al Qaeda operatives in Ernakulam district has set alarm bells ringing for the state Intelligence and police.

In a pre-dawn operation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) nabbed Murshid Hassan, Iyakub Biswas and Mosaraf Hossen, all hailing from West Bengal.

What has alarmed the state police is their presence among the guest workers in Perambavoor which has the highest concentration of guest workers in Kerala.

The Al Qaeda operators were staying in Perumbavoor town and Kalamassery in Ernakulam district.

While Murshid Hassan was arrested from a labour camp at Pathalam near Kalamassery where he was staying along with five others, while Iyakub Biswas and

Mosaraf Hossen were arrested from Perumbavoor.

Murshid Hassan had taken a house on rent from one Nasser about two months ago and started living there. Though the NIA had reportedly alerted the state police on a possible action just in case local force was warranted at any stage, the central agency did not specify about the case that it was following up. The local police was informed only after the arrest of the three operatives. Mursihid was taken into custody at around 2 am. Parallel raids were carried out in Perambavoor to arrest

Iyakub and Mosaraf. According to locals, Mosaraf was working in a textile shop in Perambavoor and was living there with his family for the past seven-eight years.

Iyakub Biswas had arrived in Perambavoor about two months ago and was working at a tea stall.

Laptop, mobile phone, pamphlets were recovered from their possession. NIA questioned many people living in the labour camp from where the Al-Qaeda operatives were held to get more information about the three.

Since the case pertains to Delhi NIA, after completion of arrest formalities, the accused would be handed over to the Delhi unit of NIA.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said it was natural for the security agencies to carry out such operations and arrest people who indulge in terror activities.