Maximum ISIS Arrests Made in Uttar Pradesh, Says Home Ministry

New Delhi: The ministry of home affairs on Wednesday said that National Investigation Agency (NIA) along with state security agencies arrested 103 accused in cases against ISIS cadres/sympathisers, maximum number of people being from Uttar Pradesh.

The MHA was responding to a question posed by Vijila Satyanath where the latter asked the ministry whether it was a fact that nearly 100 persons from Kerala may have joined Islamic State. While the ministry responded that Kerala did have arrests, data put forth by them has shown that Uttar Pradesh was on top in terms of arrests, followed by Maharashtra.

“National Investigation Agency (NIA) and State Security Agencies registered cases against ISIS cadres/sympathizers and arrested 103 accused in these cases-Uttar Pradesh-17, Maharashtra-16, Telengana-16, Kerala-14, Karnataka-08, Madhya Pradesh-06, Tamil Nadu-05, West Bengal-05, Uttrakhand-04, Rajasthan-04, Gujarat-04, Bihar-02, Delhi-01, Jammu & Kashmir-01,” said MoS home affairs, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir.

Further the government said that the Islamic State (IS)/ Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL)/ Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)/ Daesh have been notified as terrorist organization and included in the First Schedule to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 by the Central Government.

It also said that the ISIS was using various internet based social media platforms to propagate its ideology.

“The Central and State Agencies are monitoring the cyber space and taking action as per law wherever required. In order to assess and counter the incipient threat posed by ISIS/ISIL, meetings have been held by the Ministry of Home Affairs with the Central agencies and the State Governments concerned,” said Ahir.