Kochi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has extended the custody of two CPI(M) members by six days. The two accused, Alan Shuhaib and Taha Fasal were arrested on 1 November, 2019, under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for alleged links with ultra left organization Maoist.
Earlier a special court had sent the duo to NIA custody for a day. Both Alan Shuhaib and Taha Fasal are students of Kannur University.
There were widespread protests against taking them into custody by left activists and also from CPI, the junior party in the Left Democratic Front that is ruling Kerala. However, the CPI(M) disowned both of them and the Chief Minister supported the police action in arresting them.
Yesterday, in a bid to garner political mileage among the minorities, the opposition Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala paid a visit to the families of Alan Shuhaib and Taha Fasal.
They are charged under Section 20 (punishment for being a member of terrorist gang or organization), Section 38 (offence relating to membership of a terrorist organization) and Section 30 (offence relating to support given to a terrorist organization) of the UAPA.
