The United Arab Emirates has reportedly deported two Indians to Kochi in Kerala on suspicion that they were radicalised by the Islamic State and were sympathisers of the jihadist group.
"The two who were sent back to India have been interrogated by the Intelligence Bureau, and it was decided not to register any case against them. After putting them through some counselling sessions, they were allowed to return to their homes," The Indian Express quoted a source in the Intelligence services as saying.
According to the report, the two Indian men were among the 10 people who had allegedly participated in Isis propaganda and had also shared pro-Isis materials on social media. However, no one ever left the UAE to join Isis, the IE sources said.
"The Facebook accounts of these men came under the scanner of authorities in the UAE, and they were deported in batches. The two men from Kerala were sent back to India on August 29," the source added.
Intelligence agencies had tracked many youths, who were found to be sympathisers of Isis, from Kerala last month.
"Most of the pro-IS Facebook accounts of Malayalees are operated from Gulf countries. The Gulf countries are dealing with those who support IS on social media. We have inputs that Saudi Arabia and UAE acted tough against a few persons from Kerala who had supported the IS on social media,'' The Indian Express quoted its sources as saying.
There have been reports of Keralites joining the Islamic State in the past. Last month, a journalist from Kerala had reportedly came in contact with the Isis while working in Qatar. He later flew to Syria to join the jihadist extremist group in their fight.
The "Isis-supporter" was a reporter with a Malayalam daily in Palakkad, Kerala.
