IS links: preacher arrested by Maharashtra Police

August 14, 2016 12:00 am | Updated 06:09 am IST - KANNUR:

A preacher at a mosque at Peringathur here, who is suspected to have links with the Islamic State (IS), was arrested by the Mumbai police here on Saturday.

The district police identified the arrested as Muhammed Haneef, hailing from Kambalakkad in Wayanad.

Complaint filed

A Salafi preacher at a local mosque at Peringathur, he has been named as accused by the Mumbai police on a complaint of the father of one of the youths from Padanna in Kasaragod who were reported missing and were suspected to have joined the IS.

The police here said his arrest was recorded by the police officers from Mumbai after questioning him here on Saturday. He would be taken to Mumbai on Sunday morning.

Youths missing cases

The district police took him into custody following information from the Mumbai police which registered a case against him on the complaint by Paramban Majeed, father of Ashfaq Majeed, who is among the 17 people reported missing from Padanna and Thrikkarippur in Kasaragod.

Classes of preacher

The complaint, according to the district police, said that his son had been drawn to the extremist Salafism after participating in the classes of the preacher.

The police suspect the arrested preacher had contacts with the youths who were recruited to the IS from the State.

The arrested, a police source said, is known for his captivating preaching during religious classes.

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