Lebanon pager blasts: Surveillance stepped up around family home of 'missing' Kerala native

Even as reports linking 36-year-old entrepreneur Rinson Jose, a Kerala native settled in Norway, to the probe into the recent pager blasts in Lebanon, the Kerala police on Sunday (September 22) confirmed that a background check has been done on his family and surveillance has been stepped up around his parent's home.

His family, however, told Indian Express that he has not been in touch with them for the past few days. Rinson, who migrated to Norway 10 yeras ago along with his twin brother Jinson, had got Norwegian citizenship and is the founder of Bulgaria-based Norta Global Ltd.

This company, according to international reports, allegedly facilitated the sale of the pagers to Hezbollah.

After the reports emerged, police in Wayanad have stepped up surveillance around the home of Jose’s parents, who live in Mananthavady in Wayanad district. His father is a farmer-cum-tailor Moothedath Jose.

Background check

Meanwhile, a police officer told PTI that 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."

Another police official said that a "precautionary patrol" has been launched in the area near Mananthavady where his family resides following the reports. He said that his family has not requested police protection.

A relative of Rinson has said that he learned about the incident through the media.

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 of last year and left in January. He was accompanied by his wife, who is a nurse.

"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 per cent 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. 

BJP demands protection for Rinson Jose

Meanwhile, BJP leader Sandeep G Varier called for protection for Rinson 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.

(With inputs from agencies)