Idukki – Sahan Tudi Dinabu, a Maoist leader wanted for the killing of three policemen in a bomb blast in Jharkhand, was arrested in Munnar, Kerala, late Monday night.
The arrest was carried out in a joint operation by the Kochi and Ranchi units of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with assistance from the Kerala Police. Dinabu had been hiding at the Gudarvilla estate in Munnar with his wife, living as a guest labourer, while being monitored by the NIA for several weeks.
Acting on actionable intelligence, authorities surrounded the estate and took him into custody without resistance. Investigators said Dinabu had been evading detection for over 18 months after fleeing Jharkhand.
He is a prime accused in a Maoist attack that killed three policemen and is suspected of coordinating with other Maoist operatives across states. His arrest is being hailed as a major success in India’s ongoing anti-Maoist campaign.
Dinabu has been medically examined and is currently held in secure custody at Munnar police station. He will be transferred to Jharkhand for further interrogation and legal proceedings.
Officials emphasized that the arrest demonstrates effective coordination between state police and central agencies. The NIA plans to question him further to trace Maoist links in Kerala and neighbouring states, potentially uncovering more aspects of the extremist network.
With inputs from IANS