Arrested Lankans had LTTE links

KOCHI: The five Sri Lankan Tamils and four Keralites who were arrested on Monday for cheating 34 Sri Lankans at refugee camps in Tamil Nadu are suspected to have had LTTE links. The officials have sought the assistance of Tamil Nadu Q branch in this regard.Ernakulam Rural SP Harshita Attaluri told ‘Express’ that nine persons, including the agents are suspected to have some connections with the LTTE in the past.”  “The arrested were quizzed in Kalamassery police camp. We keep them under the suspicion and nothing can be confirmed unless the Tamil Nadu Q branch personnel interrogate them. The Q branch officials will arrive here by tonight or tomorrow early morning. The rescued Lankans will be sent back to their respective camps,” Harshitha Attaluri said.The Crime Branch and intelligence officials said that most of the refugees admitted that they are not happy with the circumstances in the refugee camps and want to get out from there. It is learnt that the agents demanded `2 lakh to `4 lakh for transporting them to Australia. Two More HeldThe police arrested two more persons in connection with the case on Tuesday. The arrested were identified as Antony, 31, a native of Kulachil, Tamil Nadu, and Sareesh, 30, of Kothamangalam. These persons were taken into custody from Kothamangalam. The police had arrested nine persons - Nathan, Guru, David, Madanan and Selvan of Sri Lanka and Kuriakose, Geo, Shibu and Bibesh of Kothamangalam on Monday. The police also seized a ferry ‘Varnimol’ from Munambam in which the agents promised to take them to Australia. The arrested people will be presented before the Kothamangalam Judicial Magistrate.