Venue of Jamaat-e-Islami shifted due to threat perception

Kochi, Sep 9 (PTI) A public programme on secularismorganised by an Islamic outfit here received threats followingwhich its venue was changed, police said today. The ‘Peace and Harmony’ programme organised byJamaat-e-Islami’s local unit yesterday was shifted to anothervenue following the threat perception, they said. The organisers agreed to a suggestion by the policeandheld the programme at a school premises in the neighbourhood.It was originally slated to be held near the high court. The programme, attended by leaders from differentreligions, was held amidst tight security. Police, however, declined to disclose any furtherdetailabout the security threat including its source. "I cannot reveal much," a senior police official said. Jamaat-e-Islami said they did not receive any messageofsecurity threat. "We changed the venue when the police informed usaboutthe threat perception and asked us to hold the programme inanother place," Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mujeeb Rahman told PTI. He said the outfit has been organising the ‘Peace andHumanity’ campaign nationwide in the backdrop of "growingcommunal rift" in the society. "In Kochi, we organised the programme in which leadersofdifferent religions — Hindu, Muslim and Christian–cametogether on one stage and called for the need for an intensivecampaign for establishment of peace and humanity in thesociety," Rahman added. PTI TGB VS SRYNTR