ISIS sympathisers to strike Mumbai during Ramzan?

The Mumbai Commissioner of Police has sent out a letter to all Crime Branch units asking them to be on alert during Ramzan. Vicky Nanjappa reports. 

Maharashtra has been put on high alert after Mumbai’s Commissioner of Police Rakesh Maria sent a letter to all Crime Branch and Anti-Terrorism Cells asking them to be on alert in view of the ongoing Ramzan.

The letter, shot out by Maria, warns of a threat during the holy month of Ramzan and also quotes the alarming rise of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and how some supporters and sympathisers of the militant group might try to disrupt peace in the city. The letter has requested all security agencies to be on their toes and vigilant.

The mention of ISIS comes just days after it was reported that 18 Indians had joined the militant group. Of the 18 who have joined the group, it is reported that two are from Maharashtra while the rest are from Chennai and Kerala.

Moreover, Mumbai is more vulnerable to violence. In fact, a few years ago, there was a violent scuffle between the Hanafis and the Wahhabis over the control of a mosque in Mumbai’s suburban area of Kandivli. It was alleged that the Wahhabis had taken over this mosque after bribing some members with funds pumped in from Saudi Arabia.