Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Fresh arrest in iron balls seizure case

Tamil Nadu Bureau

Raju is reported to have aided smuggling operations from Rameswaram

CHENNAI: Police arrested one more person on Thursday as part of their ongoing investigation into the seizure in Perambalur of iron balls meant for smuggling to Sri Lanka.

Interrogation

Director-General of Police D. Mukherjee said that Raju (46), of Rameswaram, was arrested in Pudukottai on the basis of information gathered during the interrogation of a Sri Lankan, Rahul, alias Antony, taken into custody earlier. Raju is reported to have aided the smuggling operations from Rameswaram.

Mr. Mukherjee, in a statement, said: "The police are continuing effective patrolling along the coastal belt, besides stepping up security arrangements.

"Strict action is being taken and will continue to be taken, irrespective of whichever political party or organisation they belong to, against those who extend support to the LTTE directly or those who clandestinely provide financial and material support and against those extending support unlawfully in any other way." The DGP said 41 people, including 16 Sri Lankan Tamils, were arrested for smuggling and unlawful activities on land and sea since November 29 last year.

Of them, 10 have been detained under the National Security Act.

The State Government had issued orders to the police to step up vigil and take stringent action against those attempting to smuggle explosives and arms to LTTE in Sri Lanka.

Idayathullah of Mannady here, who was arrested on Wednesday, had reportedly provided Rs.17.66 lakh through hawala channels for the transaction.

A police source said that Ramesh Kumar, in whose house in Perambalur the iron balls had been kept, was running a soap-making unit.

He had come to Perambalur about four months ago. The soap unit workers said they were not aware when Ramesh Kumar had brought in the 4.5 tonnes of iron balls and locked them in a room.

The police have information that Idayathullah had given Rs. 17.66 lakh in four instalments.

Satish, who is in Sri Lanka now and is known to Ramesh Kumar, is suspected to have visited Tamil Nadu recently.

Rahul had also come from Sri Lanka a month ago. Special teams had been formed to track down Ramesh Kumar, the source said.

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