Kerala journalists have CIA links, says Achuthanandan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan on Monday said there were 'intelligence reports' to indicate that some Kerala journalists were on the payroll of the CIA and said his government would get in touch with New Delhi to secure more details.

"Yes, there have been intelligence reports to indicate that this is true, and to clear this I will get in touch with the (central government)," Achuthanandan told the state assembly.

He made the statement after opposition leader Oommen Chandy insisted that either Achuthanandan should correct his earlier statement regarding the allegations or come clean with full details.

The issue surfaced March 12 when the chief minister told the assembly about a 'media syndicate' in Kerala receiving money from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Achuthanandan said he was unable to reveal details about the alleged CIA-funded journalists as it would 'affect relations between the US and India'.