An absconding cadre of the CPI (Maoist), identified as Santhosh kumar, was apprehended by officials of the Q-Branch CID of Tamil Nadu Police and the Anti-Terror Squad of Kerala Police in a joint operation at Hosur in Krishnagiri district.

Kumar, who was also known by the aliases of Santhosh, Ravi and Vargeese Raja, had been absconding for the past 11 years and had joined the armed squad of the CPI (Maoist) — a proscribed organisation in India. He was actively involved in unlawful activities in the forest areas of the tri-junction of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Arrest in Chennai

The Q-Branch CID has also arrested another absconding member of the CPI (Maoist), who was wanted by various States and intelligence agencies, acting on an information.

The member, Karthick alias Chinna Karthick or Pannapuram Karthick, was apprehended in Chennai. Sources in the police said that the 38-year-old was a native of Theni district, and had gone underground after joining the organisation. He had been on the run since 2011, and was involved in various unlawful activities of the banned outfit, operating out of various States, including Tamil Nadu.

He also underwent arms training in the forests of Kerala to strengthen the base of the organisation in the tri-junction of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. According to police, Karthik was also involved in other criminal cases in Tamil Nadu. He had been previously booked by the National Investigation Agency in Kochi. Director-General of Police Shankar Jiwal, in a release, said the Chief Minister had consistently emphasised the importance of the Tamil Nadu Police maintaining close ties with their counterparts in other States to prevent unlawful activities and keep the State free of threats. As part of such coordinated efforts, the Tamil Nadu Police actively participated in Southern States’ Coordination meetings periodically to address and resolve issues pertaining to inter-State collaboration in tackling internal security challenges. It also conducts joint operations in coordination with neighbouring States, he pointed out.

The Q-Branch CID is specifically tasked with monitoring the activities and movements associated with left-wing extremism to ensure safety of the public, and uphold internal security.