Lebanon pager blasts: Kerala police verify Malayali's background; BJP leader demands protection

Wayanad: The Kerala police confirmed on Sunday that they are conducting a background check on the family of Rinson Jose, a Kerala native now living in Norway, in connection with recent investigations into pager blasts in Lebanon. Following reports linking him to the case, authorities have increased patrols in the Mananthavady area where his family lives, although his family has not requested police protection.

"There is no case or investigation. Our special branch officials have carried out a background check. There is nothing new in it; such checks are conducted whenever similar news reports emerge," a police officer said.

Rinson, who moved abroad for work about ten years ago, is now a Norwegian citizen. BJP leader Sandeep G Varier expressed support for Rinson, calling him a "son of our nation" and demanding “protection” for him and his family. "He is the son of our nation. He is a Malayali. At any cost, we must provide protection to Rinson and his family," Varier, a state committee member of the BJP, said in a Facebook post.

A relative of Rinson stated that they learned about the situation through news reports. His maternal uncle, Thankachan, said, "He grew up here in Wayanad and studied both here and outside Kerala. After completing his MBA, he left India 10 years ago. He had been studying abroad before joining a company. As far as we know, he is currently working for a company in Norway."

Rinson last visited Kerala in November and returned to Norway in January. "We are not sure whether he runs his own business in Norway. His wife also works in Norway," Thankachan had told the media.

He said Rinson had called them two or three days before the news reports about him emerged. "We are 100 percent certain that he would not commit any wrongdoing," Thankachen had said. He also appealed to the media not to put the family in a difficult position.

Asked about reports concerning a shell company being investigated by Norwegian authorities in connection with the Pager blasts, Thankachan responded, "Sorry, I have no information about that."

A neighbour of Rinson's family added, "There is nothing bad to say about him or his family. To us, their reputation is spotless. 

Agency