According to a report in Dinamalar, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested seven individuals on 9 October 2024, including a former honorary professor of Anna University, Hameed Hussain, in connection with alleged recruitment activities for the banned terrorist organization Hizb-ut-Tahrir. The arrests, part of an ongoing investigation into the group’s network in Tamil Nadu, took place in Royapettah, Chennai.
Faisal Hussain from Taramani, Hamid Hussain from Royapettah, and Mohammad Maurice from Chengalpattu district, Sembakkam, were taken into custody. NIA officials are currently interrogating the suspects to understand the extent of their involvement in recruiting and conducting covert training sessions aimed at expanding the organization’s presence in the state.
Confession Of Faisal Hussain Highlights Recruitment Operations
In a statement to NIA investigators, Faisal Hussain, who allegedly served as the Tamil Nadu secretary for Hizb-ut-Tahrir, confessed to actively recruiting individuals across the state. He revealed that he was involved in brainwashing individuals to join the terrorist organization, focusing on areas with a high Muslim population.
According to Faisal’s confession, he attended secret training sessions led by Hameed Hussain and his father in Royapettah, Chennai. In these meetings, he was reportedly appointed as the state secretary, responsible for coordinating recruitment efforts across Tamil Nadu.
He further disclosed details of a structured recruitment network, explaining that the state was divided into four zones, each overseen by an appointed administrator. Faisal claimed to have taken up to 10 recruits each month to an Arabic college in Coimbatore, where they allegedly received terrorist training. He also mentioned receiving funds from specific, undisclosed sources to support these activities.
Alleged Link To Overseas Training Camps
Faisal’s confession to the NIA also suggested a possible overseas component, revealing that recruits were connected to a “terrorist training camp” located in Pakistan. This alleged camp, he indicated, was part of the broader indoctrination strategy to cultivate loyalty to Hizb-ut-Tahrir’s objectives.
The NIA continues investigating these activities, examining potential local and international connections, funding sources, and recruitment strategies. The arrests mark a significant development in the agency’s efforts to curb extremist recruitment networks in the region.
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