The Hindu : Vital clues to Imam Ali movements

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 12, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Vital clues to Imam Ali movements

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI MARCH 11. The arrest of Jahabar Sadiq Ali is said to have given investigating officials vital clues on the movements of the militat, Imam Ali. Several police teams have already rushed to different parts of the State in search of the Jihad Committee activist.

The 17-year old ITI student was among the gang which opened fire on the police and exploded countrymade bombs at the Tirumangalam taluk police station last Thursday to free Imam Ali and Hyder Ali of Al-Umma from custody.

Following a tip-off by the Special Branch sleuths, a team was formed by the SP, Ayushmani Tiwari. The Melur DSP, Ganesa Perumal, who led the team, secured Sadiq Ali at Othakkadai last night. In his confession statement, Sadiq Ali said he was closely related to Imam Ali and had seen him only during the court proceedings during which he came into contact with Syed alias `Seruppukkadai' Syed, Ibrahim and Seeniappa alias Saifullah.

On March 1, Syed, who masterminded the rescue operation, told him that Imam Ali would be hanged in a case and had to be freed from custody. Accordingly, a plan was drawn up and on the previous day of the attack, Saifullah, Syed, Ibrahim, Pudur Nainar, Basheer and five others picked up Sadiq Ali near a meat shop. The accused were carrying polythene bags containing arms and explosives. The driver of the Tata Sumo was tied up and bundled in the rear.

After spending the night in a mosque near Paravai, they went to the Madurai district court premises and positioned themselves in front of the main gate. When the escort vehicle carrying Imam Ali and Hyder Ali proceeded out of the campus, `Police' Fakruddin joined the gangsters and followed the vehicle at a distance.

After reaching the Tirumangalam taluk police station, the gangsters made a careful study of the security arrangements in the area. Then the vehicle swooped down on the police station and the gangsters pulled out guns and countrymade bombs from the polythene bags. They opened fire on the sentry police and exploded a few bombs on the escort vehicle.

On hearing the sound, Imam Ali and Hyder Ali came running out of the police station and the former was carrying an AK 47 Rifle. The duo hopped on to the vehicle that proceeded towards Madurai. On the Ring Road, the driver was thrown out. Sadiq Ali and two others were dropped near the Parampupatti Junction on the Ring Road where he hid an ITI notebook in the bushes, changed the dress and made good his escape. The police recovered the notebook from the spot in which he had drawn a pencil sketch of Osama bin Laden.

``Sadiq Ali is the first person to be arrested among those involved in the rescue operation. His confessions can lead to the arrest of others, including Imam Ali,'' the Mr. Tiwari told The Hindu.

Sadiq Ali was remanded to judicial custody this evening.

Our Chennai Special Correspondent reports:

The City Police Commissioner, K.Vijay Kumar, today appealed to the public to pass on any information which could lead to the arrest of Imam Ali.

Speaking to mediapersons in Chennai, he said special teams had been formed in the police districts in the city by the Deputy Commissioners, as part of the effort at tracing the fugitive.

Though there was no indication of his hiding in the city, the police were not taking chances.

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