Police to probe inter-state nexus of local extremists

Madurai, Dec 20 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu police is looking into the ''possible nexus'' between 'extremists' in the state and naxals from other parts of the country, with the arrest of a hardcore Maoist, hailing from naxalite-infested Chhattisgarh, in adjoining Theni district.

Talking to UNI on condition of anonymity, a police official said the ''nexus'' between Chhattisgarh-based Maoists and local extremists was being probed.

Interrogations with the maoist Yogesh alias Sachin, who was arrested yesterday, revealed that he had travelled, all along from Chhattisgarh to the Varushanadu hills in the state to give arms training to the local extremists.

A special team, comprising personnel of the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force (STF) and state police, had arrested five Maoists-- Yogesh, Mahalingam alias Nondi Palani, Marudu, Muruganandam and Balamurugan, after a week-long combing operations in Varushanadu hills in Theni district.

They were arrested after a police encounter, in which Mahalingam, Maruthu and Muruganandan sustained bullet injuries. They were admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital, here.

Palani, a key-leader of the Maoist group, was evading arrest for the past three decades.

''Only a detailed investigation can reveal whether Yogesh came to the state alone or as part of a Maoist contingent that reportedly intruded to supply sophisticated arms or to give arms training to the local extremists,'' the official said.

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