Thiruvananthapuram: About 15 youths from Kasargod district of Kerala are missing and their relatives strongly suspect them to have joined the Islamic State.
According to an India Today report, the youths, including a doctor couple, are reportedly suspected to have joined the terror group ISIS and are fighting for Jihad in Iraq or Syria.
Salam, a relative of Hassisudin who is missing since May 28 this year, had earlier told that he along with other missing boys seem to have reached IS-controlled areas.
“I'm worried about them. Several people including two families from our village went missing since first week of June. One of their friends received a whatsapp message telling that they have reached their destination describing about Islamic state,” Salam told India Today.
“Among the missing persons, one doctor, his dentist wife and one child are listed,” he further added.
P. Karunakaran, Member of Parliament from Kasargod, reported the matter to Chief Minister Pinarayi who assured to follow it up. Pinarayi ordered the state police to verify the information and alert the Central intelligence agencies about the developments.
According to the complaint lodged by the relatives of those missing, most of the boys are deeply religious college students. They also told the police that they were not aware of their activities.
“We are worried about their lives and we have no idea how to save them,” said Salam.
Meanwhile, the intelligence agencies have warned Kerala state government that ISIS is recruiting large number of youths that mostly include Muslim boys.
Many others from Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakad are also suspected to have joined the Islamic State.
