Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Jan 21: In the case relating to providing arms training at Mayyil Narath near Kannur, charges against 21 of the 22 accused have been proved, said special court of National Investigation Agency (NIA) at Kochi. Finding them guilty, all of them were sentenced to five to seven years of rigorous imprisonments. In addition, fines have also been imposed on them.

Those sentenced in the case are PFI activists, Abdul Samad, P C Fahad, Muhammed Samreed, P Naufal, P Jamsheer, Shafiq, Riyaz, K M Jamsheer, P V Abdul Aziz, A P Misaz, A Shijin, Muihammed Abbaseer, C Ajmal, K C Hashim, C P Naushad, E K Rashi, A K Suhail, E K Ashik, Ajmal, and K P Rahab. The 22nd accused, Kamaruddin, was given the benefit of doubt.

NIA had probed the arms training case at Narath extensively, considering the possibility of the accused having links with terrorist outfits including Indian Mujahideen (IM). The charge sheet filed by the agency said that group of activists owing allegiance to Popular Front of India and Social Democratic Party of India had organized this training camp at Narath, Kannur, on April 23, 2013.

NIA produced 55 prosecution witnesses in the case. The secret spot where arms training camp was held had been raided by police sub-inspector, Surendran Kallyadan. 22 persons taking part in the camp in a secluded building at Marath owned by Thanal Charitable Trust were arrested. The charge sheet said that one of the participants had links with Indian Mujahideen.

The NIA also provided evidence about transfer of funds between bank accounts to prove its allegations. The bank accounts details of Sanaulla Shabandri were found during the raid on the house of Qamaruddin. Shabandri from Bhatkal, is believed to be a close associate of Yasin Bhatkal and an IM operative.

The accused had procured fake SIM cards and foreign account details of Sanaulla Shabandri. PFI however, tried to argue that the programme being held on that day at Marath was a Yoga practice camp. It also stated that police might have planted arms at the spot to fix them in the case. Out of 22 accused, main accused, Qamaruddin, had absconded but surrendered to the police much later.

Country bombs, a sword, a human effigy, cellphones and accessories for making bombs etc were recovered during the police raid that day.