KOCHI: In a major breakthrough, the special investigation team probing the Nitta Gelatin case and the National Highways Authority of India Office attack held last week has revealed that Jose who was arrested from Kannur the other day was a ‘mediator’ and conspired in all the suspected Maoist attacks which occurred recently in various parts of the state.
“Jose,50, a farmer hailing from Kelakam, Kannur, has been helping the master-brain of all the attacks called ‘Sakhavu’ directly and indirectly and the ‘Urban action Team’ for over a year. The attackers of the Nitta Gelatin attack case have no direct connection with the ‘Sakhavu’. They received the specific information on the attack through Jose. Jose informed the attackers through phone and other mediums based on the instructions from ‘Sakhavu’. The ‘Sakhavu’ will be under our radar very soon. Even Jose never expected the police operation to nab him as he was playing the entire game lying underground only,” said Bijo Alexander, Thrikkakkara AC and the investigating officer.
He further indicated that the arrest has dealt a ‘huge blow’ to the kingpins, informers and helpers hiding in and outside of the state. In our knowledge, many such people are there. They will also be arrested soon based on the statements from Jose. When Arun Balan and Srikanth Prabhakaran were arrested for attacking the multinational food chains at Chandranagar, Palakkad, they were tight-lipped about their leaders. But the arrest was definitely a slap to all such extremist think tanks or organisers. We will also uproot the ‘Maoist’ sleeper cells and sentiments throughout the state,” Alexander said.
He also added that the police were being deployed in various parts of the state and many of the sleeper cells were under police surveillance. So we hope to record further arrests very soon, Alexander said.
The accused Jose is now under police custody till February 7 for further interrogation.
He was earlier produced before the principal sessions court and he will be charged under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act(UAPA).