India - Maoists allege torture in police custody

Coimbatore: Maoists, who were arrested two months ago from the city outskirts, alleged on Thursday that they were being tortured by Kerala police while in their custody and wanted to confess certain things, by threatening of dire consequences. Three of the five Maoists, arrested from Karumathampatti, were being interrogated both by Tamil Nadu Q Branch and Kerala police turn by turn. As the custody period of three accused – Veeramani, Shyna and Anoop – is ending on Thursday, they were brought to produce before First Additional District and Sessions Court here.

While being taken to the Court, Veeramani claimed that they were being tortured by Kerala police to toe their line and confess their involvement in certain cases, or face consequences. “However, we have not budged to their threats,” he said. Raising pro-Maoist slogans, the trio appeared before Judge R Shaktivel. The judge ordered to produce the accused before the Court on July 8 and allowed Shyna to be taken back to Kerala, while Veeramani and Anoop were lodged in Central jail here.