IS suspects arrested: BJP blames LDF, UDF for situation

"Both the fronts should understand at least now that it is not by supporting anti-nationals that they should oppose the BJP," Kerala BJP chief said.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala BJP on Monday blamed both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and opposition UDF for the present situation in the state where persons with suspected Islamic State (IS) links have been arrested.

Reacting to the news of five persons from the state being arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) yesterday for their suspected IS links, Kerala BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan alleged that the present situation had arisen as both the fronts had, over the years, "encouraged religious extremism" in the guise of opposing the saffron party.

"Both the fronts should understand at least now that it is not by supporting anti-nationals that they should oppose the BJP," he said.

Successive LDF and UDF governments in the state had taken a "soft approach" to small and big cases related to extremism, he alleged.

Attacking the LDF government, Rajasekharan claimed that no serious probe was conducted to ascertain the details of 21 persons, who were suspected to have joined IS after being reported missing by their families.

Yesterday, five persons with suspected IS links were taken into custody in Kannur district by the NIA.

The agency picked them up from Kanakamala in the Western Ghats near Panur.