In a new twist to the Maldivian activities in Kerala, police are now probing the possibility of fake currency rackets operating from there in the last couple of years.
Large amounts of fake Indian currency originating from Pakistan might be coming into the state through Maldivian hands, they say, though no evidence has emerged so far.
The strong political and social relations between Maldives and Pakistan strengthen this view. M.N. Ramesh, the assistant commissioner of Special Branch in Kochi, said, “Extremist outfits from the two countries have a strong nexus.
A lot of under-the-blanket things have been happening between the two nations. If Pakistan wanted to supply fake notes here, Maldivi-ans can surely aid them, as the latter have an easier access to our country,” he said.
Maldivians arrive in the state using a visiting visa that’s valid for 90 days. Most of these visitors take the sea route to reach the state’s shores and cite education and health care as the reasons for their stay. These arrivals go unnoticed by the officials, as they use boats to come in, police say.
The police has its own intelligence network to keep a watch on such happenings, but it appears to have failed to catch the signals if any.
Police now suspect that the Maldivians would have brought the fake notes in boats to the state, and must have distributed them here during their stay.
Once the visa expires, the Maldivians might be going back to the home country with genuine currencies, and might use the money also for dissident political activities.