LTTEer arrested in Tamil Nadu

An LTTE activist wanted in connection with various cases of procuring and smuggling explosives, drugs and fuel, for the banned outfit has been detained, police said yesterday.

Sateeswaran (31), regarded as the kingpin in LTTE's procurement wing, was arrested here when he was attempting to escape to Sri Lanka on Monday, they said.

The activist from Kilinochchi in Sri Lanka had earlier tried to smuggle 50 bags of explosive substances including Pottasium Chlorate and Sulphur, which were seized at Paramakudi on November 18, police said.

Police had earlier arrested four persons - Nakulan, Nethaji, Sekar and Subramani - in connection with the seizure. During interrogation, they reportedly informed police that Satheeswaran had bought the materials from them. A hand-book on making bombs, three cell phones and jewellery was recovered from him, police said.

They said Satheeshwaran had a problem in using one of his arms, and there were marks of bullet injuries in his shoulder. The accused has been handed over to the Q-branch police for further interrogation, police said.

Meanwhile, Chief Judicial Magistrate of Ramanathapuram handed over copies of charge sheets to six members of Sea Tigers, a wing of the banned outfit, for killing four Indian fishermen from Kanyakumari at sea, a few months ago.

The four, currently, lodged in Madurai prison were produced before the court Monday amidst tight security. Meanwhile, two women were arrested while trying to smuggle 3,300 detonators, 39 gelatine sticks and a bundle of fuse wires to Sri Lanka, at Semmamadam, on Tuesday morning.

On specific information that two women were trying to smuggle explosive materials to Sri Lanka, police had rushed to the Semmamadam, Amalabai, Deputy Superintendent of Police said.But as they reached the place the women tried to escape, leaving the explosive materials behind. However, the police chased and arrested Kaveri ammal(40) and Ananadammal(60) and also seized the materials.

The Hindu