MADURAI: Arrested Maoist S Kannan, a rank holder in Madurai Kamaraj University, was alleged to have been involved actively in mobilising people towards the ideology, along with his wife Reena Joyce Mary.
The Madurai couple has toured across the southern part of Tamil Nadu attempting to introduce youngsters to the left extremist ideology. Police said though they managed to arrest Kannan, Reena was at large. Police have also booked the couple under various cases, including POTA, for assaulting a police personnel at Uthankarai in Krishnagiri district in 2004. They also have cases against them in Kodaikanal, Dindigul district for alleged involvement in arms training, apart from a few cases in Dharmapuri district.
Kannan was attracted to the Maoist ideology when he came in contact with a gang that operated from Goripalayam during late 1980s. “My brother was studying BA economics at a reputed college in the city. As he was good in studies and also secured university rank, we didn’t suspect his activities,” said S Aravindan, his younger brother from Old Kuyavarpalayam. When Kannan came in contact with the group, he developed a relationship with Reena, who was already an active member. “We started having suspicion over his activities only after police began visiting our house,” he said.
When the family advised Kannan to keep away from anti-social activities, he stopped coming home.