State and Central Intelligence Agencies in Tamil Nadu feel that Maoist activists are getting regrouped with active help of some social activists, NGOs, human rights activists and journalists. The Q Branch, a special unit of Tamil Nadu Police, specialised in tracking extremist activities, have found that Roopesh and Shini, the arrested Maoist couple were operating from a rented house in Tirupur since 2012.
“Roopesh and Shyni were staying with their two daughters at the rented house in Tirupur till April 2015,” Q Branch Police said. This is in stark contrast to the claims of Ami, their 16-year-old daughter, who told police and media persons that she has not seen her father since 2006 and mother since 2008.
On Thursday, agents of the Q Branch and Tirupur Police raided the rented house where Roopesh and Shini were staying since 2015. Radhakrishnan, the house owner and neighbours reportedly told the investigators that Roopesh and Shini were staying in the house with their daughters Ami and Savera. The daughters went back to Kerala in the last week of April, they said.
Immediately after the arrest of Roopesh and Shini on Tuesday, their elder daughter Ami had told media persons that she has not seen her father since 2006 and mother since 2008. The ‘sobbing’ 16-year-old-girl, said that her parents were absconding since 2008.
“We are surprised and shocked at the over-enthusiasm shown by some of the journalists to portray that there is no Maoist activities in Tamil Nadu. We know for sure that leftist extremists are active in the State and they are trying to bring all Dalit youths under their flag. The last two years saw many arms training programmes held by Maoists and their frontal organisations to some sections of the society,” a senior intelligence officer told The Pioneer. He pointed out a recent report in a leading newspaper which said there was no place for radical Communism in Tamil Nadu, a clever ploy to divert the attention of the police.
He said it is difficult to keep track of the Maoist leaders as they do not use telephones, mobile phones or internet to communicate among themselves. For example, if A and B are being monitored by the intelligence agencies, they communicate to each other through a third person, who may not be directly associated with the outfit.
“It is here the journalists or NGO activists come in. They act as couriers and delivery persons. They, through their write ups and despatches offer cover to the activities of the Maoists,” said the intelligence person.