This Article is From Apr 23, 2018

BJP Alleges 'ISIS Links' To Hoax Hartal Call In Kerala, To Seek NIA Probe

The party would lodge a complaint with the National Investigation Agency or NIA seeking a probe in this regard, BJP state general secretary M T Ramesh told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.

BJP Alleges 'ISIS Links' To Hoax Hartal Call In Kerala, To Seek NIA Probe

BJP said it would lodge a complaint with the NIA and seek a probe into the matter. (File photo)

Thiruvananthapuram: BJP in Kerala today alleged there was a connection between terror outfit ISIS and the recent 'hoax' hartal call in the state over the Kathua rape and sought an NIA probe.

The party would lodge a complaint with the National Investigation Agency or NIA seeking a probe in this regard, BJP state general secretary M T Ramesh told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.

He claimed posters demanding justice for the Kathua rape victim, allegedly prepared by a pro-ISIS social media group based in Sri Lanka, had been widely circulated on social media in the state along with the hartal call.

The April 16 hoax call by some unidentified groups on the social media had triggered widespread tension across the state with agitators blocking public transport, forcibly downing shutters and hurling stones at vehicles in the name of the 'hartal'.

A large number of people were arrested across the state in connection with the hartal while the police later said they found some whatsapp groups had purposefully spread the call.

Mr Ramesh accused the state government of trying to end the investigation with "some whatsapp groups".

"The recent hartal, called via social media, by some groups and the following violence had connection with ISIS. The Kerala government is trying to end the investigation with some whatsapp groups," Mr Ramesh alleged.

"The NIA should probe the case as the incident had international links," he added.
 
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