Banned TNLA, TNRT extremists in police net

Chennai, Mar 5 (UNI) Extremists of the banned Tamil Nadu Liberation Army (TNLA) and Tamil Nadu Retrieval Troops (TNRT) are raising their heads again in Cuddalore and Perambalur districts with police launching a crack down and arrested nine members of the outlawed outfits.

District Superintendent of Police Pradeep Kumar told newspersons that after the members of the two organisations indulged in a series of roberries and blasted Railway overbridges and lines, the state government banned the two outfits and arrested all their frontline leaders.

However, in the recent past, members of the two organisations revived their anti-social and criminal activities, he said adding they waylaid a jewellery merchant and looted jewelleries worth Rs 48 lakhs in Perambalur district.

In a similar incident, the TNLA and TNRT members attacked another jewellery merchant and looted 750 gms of gold and 10 kgs of silver jewellery at Puthur police station limit in Cuddalore district.

Following the two incidents, special police teams were formed and arrested nine members of the two organisations. On interrogation, Ganesan and Palanimurugan admitted that they along with other known criminals had committed the crimes.

Ganesan also confided to the police that 24 of his colleagues were still at large in Cuddalore, Perembalur, Thanjavur, Tuticorin districts and the Union territory of Puducherry, and planning to commit similar crimes.

Special teams have been formed to arrest other members of the two organisations also, Mr Pradeep said.

UNI