The National Development Front (NDF) is a militant Islamist political organisation in the state of Kerala, India. The organization is one of the organizations that took over the political vacuum when the Islamic Sevak Sangh (ISS) of Abdul Nasser Madani was banned in 1993.[1]
NDF claims to be a human rights organization, and claims to seek to build alliances with non-Muslim sections. In 1997 it stood behind the formation of the Confederation of Human Rights Organisations, founded in Kozhikode.[2]
The NDF is largely seen as a communal outfit and members of the organization have been implicated in violent incidents like the 2002 Marad massacre.[3]The Central Bureau of Investigation report found that "activists of IUML and NDF, a Muslim outfit, were actively involved in the massacre" [4] NDF has also been blamed for inciting violence against moderate Muslims in Kerala, in opposition to liberal and reformist Islamic movements and individuals.[2] and that "involvement of fundamentalists and terrorists" was behind the incident[4].
Two members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were murdered by the NDF in early 2004[5] and there have been many reports of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh workers and Hindus in Kerala being hacked to death by NDF death squads.
Political parties like BJP have put forward allegations that NDF maintains links with Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence. [6]
References
- ^ A. Vinod Kumar, Is Kerala Emerging as India's New Terror Hub?, IDSA Strategic Comments (August 2006), Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses accessed at [1] Dec 29, 2006
- ^ a b Communalism Combat March 1999
- ^ R. Krishnakumar, Marad shocks, Frontline (magazine), Volume 23, Issue 20, Oct. 07-20, 2006 accessed at [2] Dec 29, 2006
- ^ a b Marad massacre: Kerala govt for CBI probe Times of India - September 27, 2006
- ^ Marad: Pinarayi pinpoints NDF involvement The Hindu - July 17, 2004
- ^ The Bharatiya Janata Party seeks inquiry into NDF-ISI links The Hindu - May 20, 2005
External links
- Probe into Marad riots, Times of India, Sept 28, 2006
- Rajeev Pi, In Kerala bastion, CPM fights hardline Muslim violence, Sunday Express, August 20, 2006 accessed at [3] Dec 29, 2006
- Communal tension high in Kerala, BBC, Dec 10, 2001
- R. Krishnakumar, The Maudany factor, Frontline (magazine), Volume 19, Issue 22, Oct 26 - Nov 08, 2002 accessed at [4] Dec 29, 2006
- R. Krishnakumar, Concern in Kerala, Frontline (magazine), Vol.15, No.05, March 7-20, 1998 accessed at [5] Dec 29, 2006
- In Kerala bastion, CPM fights hardline Muslim violence - The Indian Express