Kanthapuram’s Houthi outreach in Nimisha Priya case triggers backlash from Sangh Parivar supporters
Thiruvananthapuram: The ongoing efforts to secure the release of Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya from death row in Yemen have sparked a wave of reactions in Kerala, particularly against the involvement of prominent Islamic cleric Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar.
Hindutva supporter Pratheesh Vishwanath publicly questioned Kanthapuram's role, suggesting a possible connection with Houthi rebels in Yemen. He took to Facebook to ask whether Kanthapuram was intervening in an official diplomatic capacity and why similar efforts were never made for women allegedly converted and taken to Syria. Vishwanath also raised concerns about the absence of visible government involvement in the negotiations.
Rationalist leader Arif Hussain echoed the skepticism, calling for a probe into Kanthapuram's alleged links with the Houthis. He accused the cleric of undermining Islam itself. Meanwhile, Kevin Peter, a leader of the Christian group KAS, criticised the public praise and celebrations surrounding Kanthapuram’s role, calling them excessive and demanding that such glorification be stopped.
These criticisms have triggered a backlash on social media, with a section of users launching a targeted campaign against Kanthapuram.
Despite the controversy, several political leaders have commended Kanthapuram’s intervention, which was seen as pivotal in postponing Nimisha Priya’s execution. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan were among those who publicly appreciated his efforts. Both stated that the people of Kerala support her release and expressed hope that the intervention would lead to a positive outcome.
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Meghalaya: Interstate ATM theft racket busted, 6 arrested
Shillong (PTI): An interstate racket involved in ATM thefts across several states has been busted, with the arrest of six persons in connection with a break-in at an electronic banking outlet in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district, police said on Wednesday.
The accused were allegedly involved in breaking into an ATM of the Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank on April 5, 2024, they said.
Three of the accused were arrested from Barpeta in Assam, while the remaining were apprehended from Haryana, police said.
Ri-Bhoi SP Giri Prasad M said a special police team was constituted to investigate the case.
"With coordinated efforts and assistance from Assam and Haryana Police, we were able to apprehend the accused involved in the ATM break-in," he told PTI.
The case was registered at Umiam police station under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to police, the gang used gas cutters to break open the ATM safe and fled with the cash within minutes.
"The group is part of a larger network involved in similar ATM thefts across different states. Further investigation is underway to dismantle the entire network," the SP added.
