There are allegations that religious extremists incarcerated at Poojapura Central Jail in Thiruvananthapuram are allowed to violate the jail rules and assemble. Terrorists are also allowed to live together in one block. Those who gather are provided ‘classes’ on planning terrorist activities.

In violation of prison rules, some Muslim extremist prisoners were allowed to stay in the same block for 32 days on the occasion of Ramzan fasting and were provided an opportunity to organise. Eighty-four terrorists were allowed to stay together in one block, including those who were convicted of serious crimes.

When they gathered for fasting, the terrorists themselves took classes. Allegedly, they planned how to exterminate people from other religious denominations, fight against the state and eliminate some political leaders.

That included the Popular Front of India (PFI)/ Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) masterminds and those convicted in the Bharatiya Janata OBC Morcha Alappuzha State secretary Ranjith Srinivasan murder case probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Ranjith was hacked to death on 19 December 2021. He was from a fishing community and was an accomplished advocate. To disfigure him, Ranjith was beaten on his face using hammers before being hacked several times. 

It was later confirmed that highly radicalised Islamist spies in Kerala police who call themselves ‘Pacha Velicha’ (Green Light) leaked personal information of RSS/BJP leaders to PFI/SDPI terrorists that led to Ranjith’s murder. Kerala police filed cases against over 200 Hindus who protested government inaction against the growing Talibanism in Kerala and spoke against Islamic terrorism and fundamentalism.

In February, Judge VG Sreedevi of the Mavelikkara Additional District Sessions Court, who imposed the death penalty on all fifteen accused in the murder case of Advocate Ranjith, had to be provided police protection because of cyber threats from terrorists purportedly affiliated with the outlawed PFI.

The Kerala government offered police protection since they were worried about the judge’s safety. She is being safeguarded by a team of five policemen, including a sub-inspector. 

Although there were early indications that Renjith’s death was related to the murder of an SDPI leader, KS Shan, who was killed on 18 December 2021, the prosecution was able to disprove this in court. A hit list discovered on the third accused’s cell phone was among the evidence provided, which led the court to determine that the murder was meticulously planned.

The decision to award the death penalty was influenced mainly by the fact that the crime was cruel and that it was done in front of Ranjith’s wife and little children. It now seems such radicals continue to enjoy extra-judicial facilities at Poojapura jail.

Allegedly, the prison authorities prepared all the facilities, including furniture, for the terrorist meetings in Poojapura.

Those sentenced to death in treason cases, those convicted in drug and murder cases, those from other states who were convicted, and those who came from countries like Bangladesh and were caught in terrorist activities all were held together. Terrorists discussed the terrorist activities to be undertaken after their release.

For this, they are getting substantial financial support from outside our country. Naturally, a portion of it trickles down to politicians and government authorities.

The canteen, run by the jail staff association, arranged special rations, canteen expenses of Rs.1,200 each, fruits, and drinks worth Rs.10,400 for the inmates. Convicts also received narcotic drugs. It is customary to mix narcotics with drinks and distribute them to inmates. Green communists handle police staff unions.

Even after Ramzan, such meetings and classes are organised at Poojapura Jail. Muslims who do not fall into their terrorist trap and indoctrination are often beaten in jail. On 12 April, the inmates of the fourth block of the prison who were not ready to gather together and pray were brutally beaten. Although the victims complained in writing, the authorities did not act.

Common inmates are in fear due to the organised movement of terrorists in the jail. In previous years, this kind of illegal special treatment was not given in prison while fasting. Although the jail officials have repeatedly pointed out the law violations, the staff are dissatisfied since authorities failed to initiate any action.

Terrorists are organising themselves on religious and political lines to incite riots in the jail. Instead of taking preventive or preemptive action, authorities are allegedly providing such extremists with facilities. Experts pointed out these are dangerous tactics and can dearly cost law-abiding citizens.