Accused part of naxal body for recruiting: ATS

Mumbai: A group of alleged naxals, who were recently arrested, were a part of the Mumbai Pradesh Naxal Coordination Committee (MPNCC), a body which was floated in December to concentrate on recruiting in country’s financial capital, revealed sources in state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). 

The MPNCC had held only one meeting in Mumbai in December that was attended by senior naxal leaders from across industrial towns in Maharashtra and Telangana, investigators said. 

Those arrested include Venugopal, Satyanarayan alias Satya, Shankarayya, Babushankar Banguri, residents of Kamraj Nagar in Vikhroli, Narsayya, a resident of Vikhroli (east), Ravi Marpalli, a resident of Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Ghatkopar and Ramesh Golala, a resident of Dombivali (east). The group wanted to spread naxal tentacles in the labour class in the financial capital and the surrounding areas of Thane, Navi Mumbai, Raigad.

“The areas were divided among each of the group members, and they were entrusted to approach people from lower strata and brainwash them into joining the Naxal cause,” said an ATS officer, requesting anonymity. 

The ATS officials also revealed that the arrested naxals made frequent visits to jungles in the states to meet their senior leaders. 

The investigation has also revealed that Vennugopal, who headed the apprehended group, visited Telangana several times despite having a bounty on his head.

“We will send a team to Telangana for getting more information from his native place. Some other aspects need to be probed there,” added a senior ATS officer.

The accused have been remanded to police custody till January 29, and the ATS is questioning them to ascertain how many persons had they recruited into their fold and if they collected funds from them.

The ATS has recovered posters from the accused, condemning the attack on Dalits at Bhima Koregaon. These posters were allegedly used to mobilise new cadre by stroking anti-establishment sentiments.