The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Hurdles to probe into LTTE-linked cases

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Friday, Jun 27, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Hurdles to probe into LTTE-linked cases

L. Srikrishna

Impediments to gathering vital details from Sri Lanka cited as reason

The police are unable to find out where and to whom seized goods were intended
Accused received money through ‘hawala’ mode

MADURAI: Investigations into many smuggling cases involving the LTTE have hit a roadblock, according to police officers.

Though the police busted the smuggling activities, following leads provided by the intelligence wing, and arrested the accused, impediments to gathering vital details from Sri Lanka have brought the investigations to a halt.

The police have recovered the properties, but are unable to gather information as to where and to whom the goods were intended, and who was behind the smuggling.

The accused claimed they had despatched the goods to some persons in Colombo and gave names and telephone numbers. The police contend the goods were intended for the LTTE and that the names furnished are fictitious.

According to confessions obtained, the accused received money through the ‘hawala’ mode. The goods were despatched through agents to Sri Lanka.

A senior intelligence officer said Sri Lanka was trying to open a forum with intelligence agencies here that would enable both sides to share inputs on ‘wanted’ persons. This would not only tighten the loose ends in the laws, but also ensure stringent punishment to offenders to a great extent.‘Q’ Branch sources told The Hindu on Thursday that during the last two to three years they had successfully busted different modules and seized property worth several lakhs.

Eight cases registered

The police have so far registered eight cases this year on charges of smuggling and under the Indian Passports Act. They have arrested an LTTE cadre, 17 Sri Lankan Tamils and 22 accomplices, mostly locals, from different parts of Tamil Nadu.

In 2007, the police registered nine cases and arrested 10 LTTE cadres, 21 Sri Lankan Tamils and 47 locals. In 2006, six local persons were arrested on charges of smuggling.

During interrogation, the police found that the accused smuggled items ranging from gelatine sticks, walkie-talkie handsets, aluminium ingots, ball bearings, beedi bundles and petroleum products to Sri Lanka.

Last year, in a major haul, Indian Coast Guard authorities intercepted a gang in mid sea and seized sophisticated weapons.

Similarly, in Madurai, the police recovered 44 walkie-talkie handsets from a gang that included a Sri Lankan Tamil.

About six months ago, a new boat built at a cost of about Rs.50 lakh was seized in Kerala. It was intended for use by the LTTE.

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