The Hindu : Possession of Marad mosque may be extended

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 30, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Possession of Marad mosque may be extended

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE MAY 29. The district administration is likely to extend the possession of the Juma Masjid at Marad from where the police recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition during its investigations into the massacre on May 2. The validity of orders taking over the mosque will end tomorrow.

It is learnt that the City Police Commissioner, T.K. Vinod Kumar, on Monday had written to the District Collector, T.O. Sooraj to extend "the reasonable restrictions'' imposed on the entry to the mosque to maintain communal harmony in the sensitive coastal belt of Kozhikode.

This is the second time the police have sought the district administration to keep in its possession the mosque which was taken over on May 8 under Section 27 of the Kerala Police Act. The Collector had ordered the extension of the possession of the mosque by one more week on May 23.

As of now, the entry to the mosque has been strictly restricted to the believers. Only those members attached to the local Mahal Committee will be permitted to offer prayers after getting the prior approval of the Revenue officials.

Besides, the faithful will also have to produce proof that they do not have any criminal background. Those who have been permitted to offer prayers will not be allowed to remain in the mosque for more time than is necessary to offer prayers.

Police sources told The Hindu here today that the district administration had been cautioned against handing over the mosque to any organisation unless the situation returned to normality at Marad. Taking any step in this direction should be done only after rehabilitating the displaced families belonging to both the communities especially the minorities and restoring peace in these hyper sensitive areas of the beach.

Apart from that the district administration would have to take a firm decision on handing over the mosque to the rightful custodians although various organisations and political parties have demanded handing over of the mosque to the Kerala State Wakf Board.

The administrative control of the mosque could not be given to a third party unless there is a dispute between two groups. Here the mosque was under the control of the local Mahal Committee. But in this case some of the office-bearers of the committee are accused in the massacre incident. So the district administration will be compelled to hand over the mosque to a newly constituted committee, it is learnt.

Meanwhile, the police have intensified security in the region since Hindu organisations are observing May 31 as Marad Day. The Hindu Aikya Vedi - Kerala has planned to immerse the ashes of those killed in the carnage at several places in the State. The places chosen for the programme are Thirumullavaram, Thrikunnapuzha, Aranmula, Nagambadam, Nedunkkandum, Aluva, Vadanappally, Thiruvilvamala, Thirunavaya, Varakkal, Thirunelli, Payyambalam and Thrikkanadi. The police are keeping a strict vigil on the activities of these organisations attempting to create trouble in the area, according to a senior official.

Surveillance has also been stepped up at the places of worship in the trouble-prone areas of Malabar. The intelligence set-up has been strengthened following the recovery of deadly weapons from the Marad mosque and from the premises of the Cherumoth mosque at Nadapuram.

Raids are being carried out on the beaches at Chaliyam, Puthiyappa, and Beypore. Special police check-posts have been established. Mobile patrolling and vehicle checking have been intensified in all hot spots. The mapping of the coastal areas is still continuing in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.

Reliable sources said that the State Government had sanctioned Rs. 15. 75 lakhs to set up temporary accommodation for the police force camping on the beach during the monsoons. The funds will be utilised for constructing barracks and shelters at the police check posts. Currently three companies of the Armed Reserve Police along with local police have been posted at Marad.

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