AP rocket launcher seizure: 'Q' Branch arrests 14

Chennai, Sep 15: The 'Q' Branch Police have arrested 14 people, including four owners of small scale industries, during night long raids, in connection with the alleged manufacture of rocket launchers seized by the Andhra Pradesh Police on September eight.

Police sources said here today the arrests were made after conducting searches at six industrial units at Korattur, Padi and Mannurpet Areas on the outskirts of the city.

The rocket launchers were manufactured in these units and three consignments transported to Andhra Pradesh through the Kranti Transport, they said.

During the raids, which continued till the wee hours of today, police claimed to have gathered 'clinching' evidence about the involvement of kingpin Srinivasa Reddy, who had allegedly booked the consignment in the name of Raghu.

The city police raided six godowns of Kranti Transport and sealed a couple of them after the Andhra Pradesh Police informed their Tamil Nadu counterparts of the major arms seizure on September eight.

Police had also seized various documents and invoices from the company during the raids.

The Andhra Pradesh Police had, in all, seized 875 rocket launchers and shells in Mahabubnagar and Prakasam Districts allegedly meant for Maoists.

The investigation into the case gathered momentum after Andhra Pradesh DGP Swaranjit Sen disclosed the arms were manufactured in Tamil Nadu and assembled in various places.

After Mr Sen's visit and discussions with his Tamil Nadu counterpart and other officials, the investigation was transferred to the 'Q'' Branch Police as the case involved links with outfits like Maoists.

UNI