The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing allegations that members linked to the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) are resurfacing in Tamil Nadu by infiltrating student wings of various political parties.
SIMI, founded in 1977, was banned by the Union government in 2001 after it was linked to several subversive activities. According to the agency, its members are suspected of operating under different names and engaging in acts that could undermine India’s sovereignty, security and unity.
NIA officials said recent investigations into unidentified individuals allegedly involved in recruiting for the Islamic State (IS) were conducted across several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Gujarat. During these inquiries, investigators reportedly recovered key documents.
Based on those documents, the agency claims it found indications that SIMI-linked individuals had entered student organisations of certain political parties across multiple states, including Tamil Nadu. Officials also alleged that the suspects were promoting extremist activity in the name of “jihad” and were attempting to further plans aimed at establishing an Islamic rule.
In Tamil Nadu, NIA teams have been camping and questioning suspects in districts such as Madurai, Tirunelveli and Coimbatore, officials said.
