Mangaluru, 06 Oct 2017: After an audio recording went viral in social media platforms claiming of ISIS links in Mangaluru, the police started interrogating on the same and South Karnataka Salafi Movement leader, Ismail Shafi was questioned for two days on the claims made.
Ismail Shafi clarified that an audio tape in his voice which went viral on the internet is original and has a portion of his speech delivered at an event in Dakshina Kannada recently urging the youths in Dakshina Kannada not to join ISIS. He also added that an unidentified person recorded a portion of his speech and uploaded the same on social media sites.
Upon clarification, he informed Udayavani daily that, some unidentified persons from Kerala have recently visited mosques located in Bantwal, Katipalla and Ullal areas and held meetings with local youths. The activities of the Keralites were suspicious and are cause of concern to him and others.
Out of 2 youths of total 22 youths from Kerala who allegedly joined ISIS are belong to Salafi community. They haven’t yet returned to their home town even a year after their journey to foreign countries, he added.
Some unidentified persons from Kerala have been misusing mosques located in Dakshina Kannada to send them abroad on the assurance of job, higher education and others. Such groups are active at schools and college premises in Dakshina Kannada also, he noted. Many youths haven’t yet returned to Kerala from aboard and even never contacted their relatives once they moved foreign countries on the assurance of higher education, job and others, he said.
Superintendent of police of Dakshina Kannada district said that some information has been collected during the two days of questioning of Ismail Shafi and that all the details cannot be revealed in view of their sensitive nature.
Further investigation is likely to be undertaken based on the information gathered.