Islamic militants helping Maoists: Kerala CPM leader

Days after the arrest of two Communist Party of India-Marxist student members under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for their alleged Maoist links, a Senior party leader has stirred up a controversy by stating that the ultras were receiving help from Islamic militant organisations based in Kozhikode.

Maoists are being 'nurtured' by Islamic militant organisations based in Kozhikode, CPI-M district secretary P Mohanan said, addressing a function in Kozhikode.

"Some are encouraging these Maoists to take up arms against the government," he alleged and asked the government to look into it.

The Islamic militant organisations here are the 'strength' of the Maoists, he claimed.

Two students-- Alain Shuhaib and Taha Fasal were arrested on November 1 after pro maoists pamphlets were seized from them.

Meanwhile, police has said C P Usman, 40, hailing from Malappuram, has been identified as the third suspect who had absconded after Shuhaib and Taha had been arrested.

Describing UAPA as a 'draconian' law, senior CPI-M leader Prakash Karat had said the two arrested Left student activists have been 'wrongly' booked under it and had urged the party-led Left Democratic Front government to intervene and 'undo this mistake'.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had informed the state assembly that the government would not allow the 'misuse' of UAPA and would look into the issue seriously.