Kerala: A top Maoist leader, who was wanted in at least 20 cases in Kerala, his wife and three others, were arrested on Monday near Coimbatore in a “big breakthrough” for the police of four southern states.
But did you know that the Maoist leader who was the most wanted Naxal in Kerala is well-educated ? Roopesh, apart from being a Maoist, was also a law graduate with a diploma in Information Technology, according to reports.
Roopesh, before he became in charge of the Western Ghats zone of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and the leader of the Maoist movement in Kerala with his wife, had initially joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), according to The New Indian Express.
His wife, Shyna, is a former Kerala High Court employee, intelligence officials told NDTV. Moreover, she came in the news in 2011 after she wrote a letter to Kerala CM Oommen Chandy, calling for action against police officials for allegedly harassing her 71-year-old mother and her two children, reported Indian Express.
The report also said that Roopesh had written a novel in 2013 which was published by two publishing houses in Kerala under the titles ‘Maoist’ and ‘Vasanthathile Poomarangal (Flowering trees of spring)’.
Their elder daughter Amy said that her father had gone into hiding in 2002 and her mother in 2008.
“As a daughter, I would support their struggles. I realise my parents’ struggle is also meant for me and my future. For me, they are the true leaders who remain dedicated to their cause,” Indian Express quoted Amy as saying.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said on Monday night that the arrest of Roopesh and the others were made by Andhra police following a joint operation undertaken by Andhra, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu police.
He said this was a “big breakthrough” and could be achieved due to ‘co-ordinated’ efforts of the four state governments.
“At least five Maoists have been arrested. For the past two months, police of Andhra, Karnataka Kerala and Tamil Nadu were undertaking joint operations to nab them,” he said.
“The Maoists are being questioned. Roopesh will be brought to Kerala,” he said.
Besides the couple, others arrested were Anup from Kerala, Veeramani from Karnataka and Kannan from Tamil Nadu, the sources said, adding, all would be taken to Kerala for further questioning on the way to Andhra Pradesh.
