Kochi: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said the reports about members of five families belonging to Kasargod and Palakkad districts leaving the state for joining with Islamic State (IS) are a very serious matter and the police will hold a detailed and thorough probe into the matter.
The state police chief, however, said the police has no confirmation on them joining the dreaded terrorist outfit.
“A detailed and thorough probe will be held into the matter,” Mr Vijayan told reporters here on Saturday. Relatives of the missing persons suspect that they have joined the IS, the Chief Minister pointed out.
The Chief Minister’s comments came amid reports the police and intelligence agencies have commenced a probe into matter.
State police chief Loknath Behera said the has no conformation about members of the five families joining the IS ranks. “I cannot give further information at this stage without confirmation,” he told reporters.
Mr Behera said relatives of the missing persons have expressed suspicion about them leaving the country for abroad, most probably for Iraq or Syria. “At this stage it is only a speculation that they have joined the IS,” he added. Mr Behera said the police will seek the help of the central agencies for the investigation.
Mr Behera also requested the media not to sensationalise the matter. “It is a very sensitive matter and we should show restrains at this stage,” he said.
P. Karunakaran, the CPM MP from Kasargod, had earlier submitted a representation to the Chief Minister demanding a probe as per petitions submitted by relatives of the missing persons.
