TN Q Branch to probe arms transportation to AP Maoists

Chennai, Sep 10: The case relating to alleged transportation of rocket launchers and other ammunition from a lorry booking office at suburb Ambattur, which were seized in Andhra Pradesh, has been transfeRred to the Tamil Nadu 'Q' branch police.

In a statement here today, Tamil Nadu Director General of Police D Mukerjee said since the case relating to arms and ammunitions also involved some naxalite cum terrorist groups, it would be proper if it was investigated by the 'Q' branch, which deals exclusively with militants and terrorist activities.

He said six special teams have been formed to probe the matter in and around the city, especially all the six branches of a private lorry transport.

THe DGP said enquiries revealed that 54 gunny bags weighing 1975 kgs on August 10, 2005 and another consignment of 51 bags weighing 2000kgs on May 9, 2006, were sent to are Mr Srinivasa Reddy in Vijayawada. A fresh consignment of 32 gunny bags (1125 Kg) was sent to one Ram Reddy of Nellore District on May 11, 2006.

Based on information from their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh, the Chennai city police swung into action and seized the relevant documents relating to the alleged arms transportation.

This would help the department to hold further enquiries in the right direction, he claimed.

Mr Mukherjee said a case has been registered under Section 120 (b), 121(a) of IPC and other sections of Arms Act. He said the three consignments of arms and ammunition were sent to Andhra Pradesh from Tamil Nadu only during the previous AIADMK regime. Despite this, some of the press and electronic media came out with 'false propaganda' stating that terrorism was once again sufacing in Tamil Nadu.

Mr Mukjerjee warned of legal action against those who publicise facts that were false.

He said in the wake of the recent serial bomb blasts at Mumbai, the present DMK Government was taking all precautionary measures and enhancing the security measures to ensure that there would not be any untoward incidents anywhere in Tamil Nadu.

He said they were maintaining a close vigil over the activities of the naxalites and banned terrorist outfits. The Government will not allow any kind of terrorist activities or any other illegal actions in Tamil Nadu under any circumstances, he added.

Meanwhile, the two member Tamil Nadu police team led by Mr Arun Deputy Commisioner of Police (St.Thomas Mount) returned to the city after holding investigations in Andhra Pradesh and collecting samples of the seized arms and ammunition.

A police team from Andhra Pradesh is also in the city since yesterday, holding joint investigation with the city police and the employees of the lorry transport office.

City Police Commissioner Ms Latika Saran had told newspersons here yesterday that based on the information given by the staff members of the private lorry booking office from where the ammunition was booked to Andhra Pradesh, the city police had drawn a computer picture of the person who had allegedly booked the parcel.

Andhra police had seized rocket launchers and ammunitions from different parts of Mahabubnagar and Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh yesterday.

UNI