Kerala’s top Maoist leader Roopesh, wife Shyna, 3 others arrested in Tamil Nadu

Coimbatore: In what is being seen as a major breakthrough for the police of four southern states, a top Maoist leader, wanted in at least 20 cases in Kerala, his wife and three others have been arrested in Tamil Nadu.

Roopesh, a law graduate, and his wife Shyna hail from Kerala and had managed to evade arrest for over 10 years, police said late last night. They were arrested on Monday following a joint operation undertaken by Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu police.

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala confirmed the development last night.He said this was a “big breakthrough” and could be achieved due to ‘coordinated’ efforts of the four state governments.

“At least five Maoists have been arrested. For the past two months, police of Andhra, Karnataka Kerala and Tamil Nadu were undertaking joint operations to nab them,” he said.

A report from Coimbatore, quoting police sources, said front-ranking Maoist leaders Roopesh and his wife Shyna, were arrested near Karumathampatti, about 25 km from Coimbatore.

Besides the couple, others arrested were Anup from Kerala, Veeramani from Karnataka and Kannan from Tamil Nadu, the sources said, adding, all would be taken to Kerala for further questioning on the way to Andhra Pradesh.

While Roopesh entered mainstream Maoist activities through CPI-M (ML) students wing, Shyna was a clerk in a court, police said.

Roopesh is in-charge of the Western Ghats zone of the Communist Part of India (M). Roopesh is believed to be the mastermind behind the recent attacks in Palakkad and Wayanad districts of Kerala and has over 20 cases registered against him under UAPA, Arms Act and Unlawful Assembly.

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Source:Zeenews