THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state police will get the custody of Maoist leader Roopesh and others in a week’s time, if the Tamil Nadu police decide not to extend their custody.
If the Tamil Nadu police seek an extension the state will have to wait further as the court’s preference will be for completing evidence collection in an ongoing case.
Reliable sources told ‘Express’ that the state police got vital information on the insurgents’ “agenda’’ for the state. ‘’But, their custody is essential for evidence collection in the registered cases and also for information on their accomplices here,’’ they said.
Though there were specific intelligence inputs on possible retaliatory attacks in the wake of the arrest of the Maoist leader, the officials said that they do not expect any immediate retaliation in the state or its borders.
“The insurgents are likely to abstain from an action that would invite public criticism. As in the past, they are likely to adopt a soft approach for the time being,’’ said an official who is part of the anti-Maoist operations.
The official said that the insurgents’ accomplices were banking on a ‘’sympathy wave’’ in favour of the arrested persons in the mainstream and social media platforms.
“They also use the media to know about the police plan by false campaigns. A TV channel news report on the possible arrest of the couple’s daughter is an example,’’ he said.
“The report was an attempt to force the Kerala and Tamil Nadu police forces to confirm or reject it. The girl too made a false statement to the media that she had not seen her father for quite a long time while the truth was that she had frequent contact with them,’’ he said.
The official said the anti-Maoist operations will continue as the arrest of the leaders did not mean an end to the menace.
“There will be a calculated response on their part though it would take time. The force will have to continue vigil,’’ he said.