Naxalite Palanivel, wanted in many cases, held by ‘Q’ branch

The ‘Q’ branch officials told DTNext that Palanivel (35), who was involved in various cases of arson in places like Salem and Theni, was picked up when he came for work near Mettur. 

The ‘Q’ branch, which had posted officials in mufti after getting information regarding his movement, arrested him from Chinna Park.

Palanivel tried to escape seeing the policemen, but he was chased and caught.

Police said Palanivel was arrested before but he jumped bail and had been absconding. Palanivel was also one of the main acused in the double murder at Veeranam in 2004.

Police said the Odisha police also had been hunting for Palanivel after his frequent trips to the state and for his links with top Maoists leaders there. Palanivel was later produced before the judicial magistrate court at Mettur and was later remanded to judicial custody. 

Palanivel was later lodged in Salem Central Prison. 

The Q branch sources said Palanivel had been a main point of contact for Naxalites in different states and had been a very active member of the group. Investigation is also on to see whether he had been sheltering any Maoists from Odisha in Tamil Nadu. 

Sources said Naxalites were only trying to propagate their ideology in Tamil Nadu on the sly as police managed to destroy most of their network and base in forest areas. 

“They are not strong on the basis of operational capacity in Tamil Nadu. We do have information that they are trying to influence local people with their ideology, but are making little headway in that,” an official said.