Suspected SIMI activist taken into custody in Kochi

KOCHI: A Chennai-based person was taken into custody for interrogation for his alleged connection with Students Islamic Movement of India on Wednesday.

Police said Zahir Azlem, a staff member of KMEA college at nearby Aluva, was taken into custody for interrogation as he was the room-mate of Shaduli, who was arrested on Tuesday.

Azlem was being interrogated and not arrested, police asserted.

Of the 18 people taken into custody on Tuesday from Binanipuram near Aluva, Shaduli (24), Abdul Rafeeq (27) and Shamas (20) all from Erattupetta in Kottayam district and Ansar (25) and Nizamuddin (24) from Aluva in Ernakulam district, were confirmed as SIMI activists, police said.

Cases under various sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, have been registered against the five SIMI activists, police said adding they were questioning the others taken into custody.

The five activists have been remanded to judicial custody till August 30.