Out of this, 11 persons from Kasargod and Palakkad districts apparently left for Mecca on holy pilgrimage about a month ago. Since then they have remained untraceable, causing concern to their parents, who have filed complaints with the police.

Causing extreme concern are reports that the at least some from among the missing persons may have joined the dreaded Islamic State (IS) or other extremist outfits in Iraq or Syria following possible radicalization in Kerala.

Incidentally, majority of the missing persons are educated and belong to well-to-do families. Among those disappearing from Kasargod, for instance, are a doctor and four engineering graduates. Likewise, two of the missing persons from Kochi were said to be training to become dentists.

The phenomenon of missing persons has to be viewed against the backdrop of a call from IS chief Abu Bakr al Baghdadi urging Muslims all over the world to join the newly-formed Caliphate because “it is un-Islamic to continue to live in the land of non-believers once the Caliphate has been established”.

It may be mentioned that growing IS influence over Kerala came to limelight following the migration of two families from Kannur and Kozhikode to Syria last year.

Meanwhile, reports have it that the voice clip sent by one of the missing persons to his family, Ejaz from Padne in Kasargod district, contains incriminating evidence about his IS connections. This could be a vital piece of information leading to the unraveling of the mystery behind the disappearance of the youths from the State.

Latest reports say the National Investigation Agency (NIA) may take over the investigation of the matter. ADGP (Intelligence) R Sreelekha has had discussions with top intelligence officers in Delhi in this connection.

Meanwhile Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the development as serious but refused to share any information other than those published by the media. While speaking in the State Assembly, the Chief Minister cautioned against any attempt to spread anti-Muslim sentiments, adding that the aim of those trying to create Islamophobia is clear. Their designs should be frustrated by the joint efforts of the Government and the people, Vijayan said. CPI(M) Politburo member M A Baby also stressed the need to avoid whipping up Islamophobia. This is of utmost importance, Baby said, as the Sangh parivar is leveraging the missing persons phenomenon to foment Islamophobia. Progressive sections should be vigilant against such nefarious designs of the parivar, he said.

It is gratifying to note that the secular parties like the CPI(M), CPI and Congress are on the same page on the need to counter the IS menace. Congress Working Committee member A K Antony also took strong exception to attempts to isolate the Muslim community on the basis of the reports about the missing persons.

Equally heartening is the decision of various Muslim organizations to take a firm stand against the IS, sinking their differences. For instance, thousands of Sunni Muslims held a night-long prayer in Malappuram district recently, and gave a call to resist the IS. The congregation, which dubbed the IS as un-Islamic and anti-Islamic, took a vow to prevent the terrorist organization from hijacking Islam. Eternal vigilance against attempts by forces such as IS ‘to destroy the oneness of humanity’ would be maintained, the congregation declared.

Taking a serious view of terror groups resorting to the internet for luring vulnerable youths in Kerala, the police is keeping a close watch on 60 secret online groups which circulate offensive material. Some of these groups were found trying to indoctrinate people by propagating messages of banned outfits, including the IS.

Needless to say, the missing persons phenomenon and the possible IS connections of at least some of them have caused extreme concern to Muslim parents who have their children studying in community-linked schools. It has also brought the spotlight on religious schooling in northern districts like Kannur. (IPA Service)