Tamil Nadu Police is checking if Maoists and other extremists are linked to the group of people agitating against Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP), a charge stoutly denied by convener of the agitators S.P. Udayakumar who is on a fast-to-death since Monday last.
Intelligence Bureau is closely coordinating the probe as there is concern among decision-makers at the Centre and in Tamil Nadu that the K-protest, already vitiated by the involvement of ill-tempered locals and inspired activists, besides the Church, is now attracting fringe elements.
The Friday arrests of Satheesh Kumar of Omanur (Salem), Mukilan of Erode and VCK spokesperson Vanni Arasu, made by the state ‘Q’ branch that deals with extremists, was beginning of an elaborate operation to unmask extremist infiltration, sources said.
In Puducherry, Union minister of state in PMO V. Narayanaswamy said his ministry was investigating extremist links of K-protesters and would take 'stern action' if the connection was established.
The disruptive methods adopted by the agitators at Idinthakarai near Koodankulam, such as fracturing roads to prevent police entry, pointed to extremist involvement, he said.