The Hindu : Gangsters identified

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 10, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Gangsters identified

By Our Staff Reporter

One of the two fundamentalists, Hyder Ali, who was nabbed by the police in Sivaganga on Saturday. — Photo K. Ganesan

MADURAI MARCH 9. The city police have identified four persons, involved in the daring attack on police personnel to free Imam Ali and Hyder Ali from police custody on Thursday.

Briefing presspersons here today, the ADGP, K. Natarajan, said Syed Ibrahim, Seeni Sultan Mohideen, Nainar Mohammed and the driver, Mohammed Ibrahim, were part of a six-member gang which swooped down on the Tirumangalam taluk police station and freed the fundamentalists after opening fire and exploding bombs.

He said all accused belonged to various parts of Madurai city and were aged between 20 and 25. `Police' Fakruddin, involved in several murder cases, masterminded the groundwork for the operation.

He said the gangsters had hired the Tata Sumo from a local travel agency on March 6. They bundled the driver, Henri Peter, in the back seat after tying up his hands and Mohammed Ibrahim drove the Sumo. They had earlier planned to attack the police vehicle at Thuvarankurichi near Tiruchi, when Imam Ali and Hyder Ali were being brought to Palayamkottai from Chennai, but could not make it.

Mr. Natarajan said pictures of the accused had been sent to police stations in all districts and neighbouring States. The public who provided information leading to the arrest of the gangsters would be suitably rewarded.

The battery-operated weapons used by the gangsters during the attack were locally made. Around eight country-made guns, four knives and two `aruvals' were seized from the vehicle abandoned by them.

The ADGP said the need for extending the remand period of hardcore prisoners within the jail premises was being taken up through the Government.

Meanwhile, the Tirumangalam taluk police have registered a case under Section 225 (A) of the IPC (negligence leading to the escape of prisoners) against the 11 escort police personnel.

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Southern States