TN's most-wanted Naxal leader held in Udupi

It was a prize catch for Udupi district police and the anti-Naxal squad, when they nabbed a Naxal leader of Tamil Nadu in the deep forests of Basavanpalu in Yeddmoga village of Kundapur taluk on Wednesday.


Alok Mohan, IGP (Western Range), on Thursday said the police were tipped off that one of the most wanted Naxal leader Shekar alias Ranjith alias Ravi alias Prem, was hiding in the forest. On seeing the police, Shekar tried to flee but was nabbed. During interrogation he disclosed his identity, said Mohan. The Tamil Nadu police had a reward of Rs one lakh on Shekar's head.

Shekar is the commander of the Madurai area of a banned CPI Maoist organization. Five gelatin sticks, 10 detonators, a medical prescription and some Maoist literature were seized from him.

Mohan said the Naxal leader may have come to Udupi a month ago to impart training to fellow Naxals and to offer medical aid to underground members of the organization. The IGP said he must have also been acting as a courier between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu members of the association.

The Naxal leader was produced before the JMFC court in Kundapur and was remanded to police custody.