Suspected Maoists led lives undercover canvassing for recruits
The three suspected Maoist women chose remote locations to go off the grid to avoid police scanner.
Though illiterate, top leader Kala was trained in arms, well-versed in the ideology of the ultras.
CHENNAI/KARUR:The three suspected Maoist women arrested by the Q branch police on Thursday led a shadow life as labourers in different parts of the country for years, according to police sources.
Among the three, Kala alias Janaki (52) is said to be the most prominent leader of the Maoist movement in Tamil Nadu and is believed to be well-trained in arms. “She was called ‘Amma’ by other cadre. She is illiterate, but had a deep knowledge of the Maoist ideology and trained in arms too,” said a police source in Karur.
She had been working as a daily labourer in Karur. But often changed her place of living. Most of the areas she stayed were remote villages to avoid the police radar.
According to sources, she was one of the persons who trained fresh Maoist cadre in the junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, which is believed to be the most common meeting zone for left extremists. Kala’s husband Manikavasagam, also a Maoist activist, was still absconding, as per police records. Police suspect Kala was also involved in canvassing people to join the movement. About 29 police cases were pending against her, police claimed.
Another suspect, Renna Joyce Mary (32), was said to have moved to Padapai in Kancheepuram district just a month ago and joined as a tailor in a private textile firm. “There will be work only for a few days a week in the firm. The rest of the days she will be convincing people to join the movement,” said a Kancheepuram police source. Reena’s husband Kannan, also a suspected Maoist activist, has been in jail since 2002. He was arrested in an operation by State police at Uthangarai.
The third arrested person Chandra (42) had been staying with Kala in Karur and was working as a daily wager. The three arrested persons seemed to have developed a secret communication method with other cadre, which the police source refused to explain.
The Q branch SP S Maheswaran interrogated the accused and they were later produced before the magistrate courts. Since the two women — Kala and Chandra — said they did not have food since police nabbed them, the Magistrate ordered police to buy them food. The magistrate sent them to Tiruchy Central Prison for 15 days judicial custody and deferred the case to August 5. Reena was remanded in Vellore prison.
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