THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: DGP Loknath Behera had recently stirred up a controversy by stating that Kerala has become a recruiting ground for the global terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS). However, the state police chief on Tuesday did a volte-face by stating that the state is safe. During his interaction with the media at the Police Headquarters, Behera said that the state is safe despite it being a target of ISIS. Although ISIS recruitment took place in Kerala five years ago, such efforts were later thwarted, he said. At the same time, Behera said that ISIS recruitment is likely to continue in Kerala, where the standard of education is high. He also said that the police are ready to stop it.

Behera changed his stance after the controversial revelation made by him ahead of his retirement led to massive criticism on social media. "If we examine the background of those who joined ISIS from Kerala, we can understand that terrorist organizations aim to recruit educated people. This is happening in Kerala as well as in Mumbai and Delhi. Attempts were made to recruit Keralites from outside the country," he said.