Date:10/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/10/stories/2006091003421000.htm

National

Weaponry sent in 3 consignments

Tamil Nadu Bureau

CHENNAI: A Tamil Nadu Police team has left for Andhra Pradesh as part of the investigation into the matter relating to the transport of rocket shells and launchers from Chennai, which were seized in Mahabubnagar and Prakasam districts.

Letika Saran, Chennai Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said three consignments were sent — two in May this year and one in August last year. The first one was sent in 54 gunny bags, weighing 2,000 kg, to one Srinivasa Reddy of Auto Nagar,Vijayawada. The second, packed in 53 gunny bags, weighing 2,000 kg, was sent on May 9 to the same person. The third one packed in 32 gunny bags, weighing 1,120 kg, was sent to K. Rama Reddy, Vedhapalayam of Nellore.

The materials in the consignment were declared as spinning mills spare parts and it was booked in Kranti Transports' Ambattur office. Enquiry with the company employees revealed that one person brought the materials packed in a gunny bag and transported them in a tempo to the Ambattur office.

The Commissioner said the transport company had six branches in the city and all the branches had been checked. She said with the description provided by the company employees, the police were trying to create a computer-generated image of the person who booked the consignment.