In a show of unity and strength, Islamists backed by left politicians from Kerala in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep have started propaganda warfare against Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Patel to block new reforms.
In an organized campaign against the Administrator of the Union Territory, Islamists and Communist politicians from Kerala have accused Praful Patel of trying to undermine the ‘Islamic character’ of Lakshadweep where Muslims constitute 96% of the total population.
The left and the Islamists are also using social media for misinformation campaigns and have spun a narrative wherein they are now claiming that the rise in new Covid-19 cases on the island is due to the Administrator’s actions.
However, Collector Asker Ali in an interview with The Print refuted the claims and informed that it was wrong to blame the surge in cases entirely on the relaxation in quarantine measures. Ali said increased movement of people with economic activity led to a “very high” transmission rate of the new strain’ as the main reasons for the rise in coronavirus cases.
As per the report, alcohol and drug addiction in the last few years have risen in Lakshadweep and after assuming responsibility in December 2020, Praful Patel had conducted 18 raids across the UT to fight the growing menace.
Additionally, Goondas Act was imposed in the Union Territory to restrict the smuggling and distribution of alcohol and drugs.
But the left and Islamist groups couldn’t stay put after the administration had pulled down Anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) posters placed by radical Islamists outfits throughout the island.
Also, any effort by Patel for infrastructure development projects in the Islands has been resisted because it will boost tourism and jobs in the island which will hurt the control of the left-Islamists.
On social media reform policies of Patel have been called ‘fascist’. Patel imposed the rule that banned candidates with more than 2 children from contesting Panchayat polls which has been implemented in several states.
While the Islamists say the island to be crime-free, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has raised concerns of illegal berthing of foreign vessels.
A while back a Sri Lankan fishing boat Ravihansi was intercepted by Coast Guard off Minicoy Island and onboard 300 kgs Heroin worth ₹3000 crore was seized along with 5 AK-47 rifles with 1,000 live rounds.
In 2019, there were intelligence reports which suggested the movement of 15 ISIS terrorists from Sri Lanka to the Lakshadweep Islands.
The political support for the Islamist organizations against the administration is coming from CPIM leader and Rajya Sabha MP Elamanam Kareem, Kerala Congress leader VT Balram who had also announced solidarity with these ‘protests’.
Patel administration has been trying to boost tourism and improve the security of Lakshadweep due to its strategic importance and also make this island the new preferred holiday destination by fixing the poor infrastructure to turn it into the most sought out tourist destination which is now being prevented by vested interests in the islands.
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