Two held in Madurai for plot to kill Advani

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Madurai, Nov 2, 2011: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the State Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested two persons in connection with the plot to blow up the convoy of Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani near Madurai on October 28.

“We have arrested Abdul Rehman (26) of Nelpettai and Ismath (22) of Simmakkal in Madurai.

A motorcycle and an autorickshaw used to commit the offence were seized from their premises. Further investigation is on,” Additional Director-General of Police (CBCID) R. Sekar said.

According to police sources, investigators perusing specific clues zeroed in on the premises of the suspects early on Tuesday and apprehended them. Efforts were on to arrest a former Al Umma activist, alleged to be the prime suspect, and his associates, the sources said.

When SIT officials made enquiries with villagers near Tirumangalam, it came to light that three persons were standing near the culvert at Alampatti where a pipe bomb containing about 7 kg of explosive substance was recovered. The trio came on a motorcycle and an autorickshaw around 5.30 a.m. to the scene of crime, a senior police official said. Confirming the involvement of some former Al Umma activists in the conspiracy, the official, however, refused to divulge details on their identity as it would affect the investigation which was in a “crucial” stage.

“The plot was to blow up the vehicle of Mr. Advani. The accused persons placed the pipe bomb in the wee hours under the culvert and planned to cause an explosion at the appropriate time. It appears that they had knowledge of the movement of the VVIP’s convoy,” he said.

Knowing that police had detected and defused the pipe bomb, the trio escaped from the scene and left the vehicles in Nelpettai.

“While Abdullah, who owns a fruits shop, brought the motorcycle, Ismath drove the autorickshaw. We are following some inputs which may lead to the arrest of others involved in the conspiracy, including the one who was involved in the murder of Hindu Makkal Katchi State vice-president and Hanuman Sena founder-president, R. Kalidas, in Madurai on June 21, 2005,” he said.

Courtesy: The Hindu