Four arrested, arms seized in Murugamalai forest range

November 7, 2009

THENI: A police special team arrested four persons and seized cash, arms and ammunition in a combing operation in Murugamalai forest range near Periakulam on Friday.

The arrested were Ananda Kumar (20), Manikndan (24) of Usilampatti, Alex Pandian (24) and Selvam (37) of Batlagundu.

Talking to media persons after inspecting the seized materials at Devadhanapatti police station, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Dindigul Range) Sandeep Mittal said the accused Ananda Kumar and Alex Pandian brandished country made revolvers when the police team attempted to stop them on suspicion. Two six-chambered country made revolvers, 20 fired cases of .22 revolver, four mobile phones and Rs.25,000 were seized from them, he added.

He clarified that the accused were not Tamil extremists. One of them was a history sheeter and others were first-time offenders. They formed a gang and planned to commit armed robberies and murders in Theni and Dindigul districts, particularly to waylay tourists visiting Kodaikanal at Dum Dum rock area.

Investigation was on to find out whether they had any link with robbers in other districts or in neighbouring States and the sources that supplied weapons and bullets to them.

Already, Ananda Kumar has been facing trial in an illicit weapon possession case in Ezhumalai police station and three more cases on the charge of damage to public properties in Usilampatti town police station.