KOLLAM: Kerala has asked the Centre to order a probe by NIA into the attack on a college lecturer whose hand was chopped off allegedly by activists of radical outfit PFI for preparing a question paper with alleged derogatory references to Prophet Mohammed.

Union Home Secretary G K Pillai told reporters today that the state government had made the request for the National Investigation Agency probe and the Centre would examine the letter of the state government and take a decision.

Joseph, who was attacked on July 4 while returning home from a Church was sacked by Christian run New Man college authorities last week on the ground that he had hurt the sentiments of Muslims.

Maintaining that Joseph had not made any derogatory reference to Prophet Mohammed, his family has said he would challenge the management decision in a court.

Pillai, who was here to review the functioning of Neendakara coastal police station, said religious extremism could pose a major threat to the state in future. Thirty persons have so far been arrested in connection with the attack on Joseph.