Lessons on jihad from terrorist in prison

KOCHI: Indicating the spread of jihadi elements in the jails in Kerala, the police have come across information that terror accused Thadaiyantavide Nazir, who is currently in jail, has been propagating jihadi agenda in prison.  Lodged at the central prison in Thiruvananthapuram, Nazir has been persuading other inmates for religious conversion.According to sources, it was an inmate of Thiruvananthapuram central prison, currently out on parole, who made this startling revelation before police officials in Kochi.  “Nazir, during his stay in the prison had been indulging in philosophical lectures and inspiring other inmates for jihad. The prisoner on parole came to us and said that inmates were afraid of Nazir and some of his aides  as he has been giving jihadi lectures to other inmates and persuading them to convert,” an official said. The terror suspects had created trouble inside the jail on some occasions.  “We had informed the intelligence and jail authorities of this,” the official said. Intelligence officials said that instructions had been given to jail authorities to put Nazir and other suspected terrorists in isolated wards. ‘’We have also recommended a separate jail for housing such inmate,’’ they said. Prisons department DGP Alexander Jacob confirmed  the report about religious activities in the jail.  “Thadiyantevida Nazir had been preaching his religious philosophies in prison,” he said.  He was not aware if Nazir and others were involved in any conversion activities. Earlier, the National Investigation Agency had stated in its chargesheet that Nazir had conducted religious camps in Kanjankadu and Kannur. He had inspired several youth to take up jihad and participate in terror camps. He had also created trouble in front of the National Investigation Agency court by chanting religious verses. Ernakulam District jail superintendent had earlier informed the NIA court about the trouble created by Nazir  in the jail.Superintendent of Police  T K Rajmohan, who investigated the Kashmir recruitment case, said that Thadaiyantavide Nazir had been taking Tareeqath class in different parts of the state. “This is a  religious class used by Nazir to provoke youth for jihad. He has been taking these  classes before being arrested by the security agencies,” he said.