Thiruvananthapuram: As more instances of Islamic State extremist outfit recruiting cadres from Kerala are coming out, the state police is seriously planning covert counter propaganda strategies. Strong demand for sharpening the police intelligence wings has also come up with the allegations that the intelligence officials failed to act despite getting tip-offs.
Following instance of Malayalis sent back from Gulf countries due to suspected IS links last year, the state police considered the option of initiating a counter-propaganda strategy against the IS's on social media. However, it was kept in abeyance owing to concerns that it may turn out to be counter-productive as the IS's direct social media campaign in our cyberspace could not be confirmed then.
However, with the present development, the state police had received evidence of IS cadres operating closed groups on social media platforms to woo cadres. Hence the police is planning to launch covert counter propaganda by spreading anti-IS messages through other agencies.
State police chief Loknath Behera, who preferred to be tight-lipped on the strategies, however, said that the police would enhance the vigil against IS's social media activities to recruit cadres from Kerala. The Gulf connections of Kerala was cited as one reason for the radicalization of Malayalis.
"Most of the Malayalis with suspected IS links had earlier worked or was still working in the Gulf countries. Hence, it is essential to sensitise the Gulf Malayalis against the IS," said a senior police officer. Meanwhile, the suggestion to strengthen the intelligence machinery has also come up.
"Mother of one of the girls reported missing had even alerted a top intelligence officer. But no action was taken. The intelligence officials also seemed to be failing to check the efforts being made over the internet to induce religious misbeliefs. It is high time that our intelligence networks are sharpened against such evils," said Kanjirapally St Dominic's College principal K. Alexander, who did extensive studies on policing.
