Hyderabad/Bangalore: In an ominous
development, Pakistan`s ISI is making attempts to establish
contacts with Naxals with the help of underworld don Chota
Shakeel for carrying out subversive activities in the country
and six people have been arrested so far in this connection.
Police forces in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh assisted
by Central security agencies in a swift operation, arrested
four persons from Andhra Pradesh and two from Bangalore. A sum of Rs 25
lakh meant for distribution to Naxals mainly in Andhra Pradesh
was also seized from them, official sources said Thursday.
According to officials privy to the operations, ISI --
Pakistan`s deadly intelligence agency -- had contacted Sheikh
Shakeel Ahmed alias Chota Shakeel, who is at present holed up
in Pakistan.
The underworld don, wanted in many cases in India, got
in touch with a person identified as Altaf, alleged to be one
of his touts and a resident in Karnataka, for establishing
contacts with Naxals in these two states.
Altaf alias Rakesh got in touch with a person named
Vinay who had promised him to introduce him to some prominent
Naxalite leader from Andhra Pradesh, the sources said.
Making attempts to nip in bud any subversive motive, the
Andhra Pradesh police closely monitored the activities of
Vinay and in a discreet probe, it was found that he had
received Rs 25 lakh through hawala channel from Altaf in Dubai
as a token amount to forge a long term relationship.
Police have arrested another person Shreedhar and three
more associates from Andhra Pradesh while Vinay along with one
of his accomplice was arrested from Karnataka. All the six
people were being interrogated, the sources said.
During investigations, the arrested people claimed that
they were planning to visit Dubai and meet Altaf alias Rakesh
to build ties between ISI and Naxals and extract as much money
as they could, the officials claimed.
Vinay is claimed to have told the investigators that
Altaf had conveyed to him that ISI was willing to pump in
money for Left-wing extremism provided they could establish
right contacts. This could be followed with supply of arms and
ammunition, the sources said.
Police have seized their passports stamped with a Visa
for Dubai and an air ticket, the sources said.
The country is facing Naxal problem in around 15 states.
ISI had earlier made an attempt to woo the Naxalites but could
not make any headway.
The latest development is seen as a fresh effort by ISI
to take the help of underworld to pump in money for
Naxalities.
PTI
