"Raghu manufactured some parts of empty rocket shells in his Padi unit"

"Raghu manufactured some parts of empty rocket shells in his Padi unit"

K.T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI: Raghu alias Srinivasa Reddy of Nellore, a member of a Naxalite group who surrendered before the Andhra Pradesh police recently, had manufactured some parts of empty rocket shells and launchers in his unit, Bharath Fine Engineering, at Padi.

Initially, owners of six engineering firms located at Padi, Korattur and Mogappair were arrested for manufacturing parts of rockets and launchers for Raghu. In a bid to avoid suspicion, Raghu, an engineer, had "outsourced" some work to the six units. A senior police officer said Raghu was a key person in the naxalite outfit. His contacts with the banned outfit were mainly at the top level. He did not have any major contacts in Chennai.

Mixed lot

Police sources said since the components seized in the neighbouring State on September 7 were in a mixed form, it was difficult to distinguish those manufactured in Raghu's unit.

The rocket launchers were seized from Achambedu police station limits in Mehboob Nagar district of Andhra Pradesh. The Tamil Nadu Police are awaiting word from Andhra Pradesh on the future course of action. Bringing Raghu here is not ruled out, the officer said. The Andhra Pradesh police are yet to complete their investigation.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/01/stories/2006110104870400.htm