IDUKKI: The Munnar police late on Thursday arrested a man with suspected links to Maoist ultras. J Manoj, a plantation labourer residing at the Kanan Devan estate quarters, had migrated to Munnar from Tamil Nadu and his arrest is expected to shed light on the suspected links between Pembilai Orumai and the Left-wing extremists(LWE).
Manoj is a close aide of Pembilai Orumai leader Gomathi. He had been an active campaigner, when Gomathi contested the local body elections. Moreover, he was one of the major organisers of the Pembilai Orumai’s protests in 2015 and recent protest against Minister M M Mani. He was dismissed from Kannan Devan Company over his association with Pembilai Orumai.Sources in the local police said Manoj was apprehended following a tipoff from the State Intelligence Department and Ernakulam Range IG P Vijayan.
“There was a meeting held at Manoj’s house in Munnar which was attended by suspected Maoists. As per the preliminary information some persons from Wayanad were present at the meeting. We have got hard evidence in this regard. Moreover, he has links with some illegal organisations in Tamil Nadu as well,” said the Munnar Circle Inspector.
Manoj had been under the police scanner after he went missing shortly after the Pembilai Orumai protests in 2015. He was arrested following police found huge amounts of money were credited to Manoj’s bank account from unknown sources. According to reports, top Maoists, including arrested ultra Jason C Cooper, had visited his house in Munnar. He will be quizzed by senior police officials on Friday.