Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai   

Qualis found, hunt on for two aides of militants

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI MARCH 26. The Toyota Qualis used by assailants to escape from Kotturpuram after a shootout on Tuesday, in which two Tamil extremists were killed and four police personnel were injured, was found abandoned at Taramani.

The police suspect the vehicle had two occupants and have launched a hunt, the City Police Commissioner, K.Vijay Kumar, said. Special teams were sent to districts to track them down.

Speaking to mediapersons here, the Commissioner said the police were not clear whether the desperados attempted to "rescue Rajaram or targeted to kill him". The police were enquiring with Rajaram's `associates' lodged in the prison. "Rajaram was up to some serious business. We are pursuing clues in the prison," the Commissioner said.

An armed group intercepted a police vehicle escorting Rajaram to the central prison at a Kotturpuram bridge. The Commissioner said the escort officer decides the route to be taken. As Anna Salai was bound to be crowded, the escort officer preferred the longer route. The police would shortly come out with a clear picture on the entire incident, as sharing information at this stage could jeopardise the investigation. On the tough stance taken by the police in dealing with criminals, the Commissioner said, "Our response will be appropriate as the situation requires".

Parents won't accept body

Our Theni Staff Reporter reports

Meanwhile, parents in Seelayampatti in Theni have refused to accept the Rajaram's body.

But the police have informed the family that Rajaram's body would be brought only to his village. Mr. Subburaj, Rajaram's elder brother, said his parents had no contacts with Rajaram for the past one decade.

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