Date:19/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/19/stories/2007011909460300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

JYS demands inquiry into MLA's connections

Staff Reporter

`A.M. Ariff had close links with Bechu Rehman'

`Probe Bechu's role in fake notes detected in Cherthala'

Says the MLA had used Bechu's vehicle for campaigning

Advertisement

ALAPPUZHA: The Janadhipatya Yuvajana Samithi (JYS), the youth wing of the JSS, state secretary P. Binu and K.K. Shaju, MLA, have demanded a comprehensive enquiry into the allegations of close relationship between Aroor MLA A.M. Ariff and Abdul Rehman alias Bechu Rehman. Bechu Rehman was recently arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence for allegedly being a conduit for circulating fake currency in the State.

At a press conference here on Thursday, Mr. Binu said Mr. Ariff had used the vehicle of Bechu Rehman as campaign vehicle during the last Assembly election.

He said the vehicle was not a taxi and the argument of hiring it for rent would not hold ground.

Mr. Binu said there was allegations that Mr. Ariff's election campaign was funded by the underworld and investigations should cover that aspect also. Both leaders demanded that an investigation be conducted into the allegations of a nexus between the CPI(M) and Bechu Rehman. Mr. Binu and Mr. Shaju noted that the police had recently detected a large quantity of fake notes printed in Pakistan in Cherthala taluk and investigations should be conducted as to whether Bechu Rehman had any role in it. Mr. Shaju said the Farmers' Debt Relief Commission proposed by the State Government would be a useless body as it would not have the powers to issue orders to banks for providing relief to farmers with regard to loans taken by them.

Mr. Shaju said the Alappuzha district conference of JSS would be held at Kuttanad in the district on January 19 and 20.