A special investigation team probing into the Thamarassery violence has seized two tipper lorries allegedly used to ferry attackers who razed the Thamarassery forest range office and ransacked a private bar.
A huge mob had gathered at Thamarassery during a hartal called on November 15 to protest the K. Kasturirangan recommendations on Western Ghats conservation. The hartal day was marred by violence when the crowd, armed with pick axes and wooden sticks, attacked the forest office at Thamarassery and also looted and destroyed property of the Aramana Bar and Hotel.
“The two vehicles are among the seven tipper lorries used by the mob to reach Thamarassery. It was after this crowd reached the spot that the hartal protests turned violent,” P.P. Sadanandan, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Crime Detachment), who heads the probe team told The Hindu on Saturday.
Mr. Sadanandan said the antecedents of the seized vehicles confirm the involvement of the quarry mafia in the violence. He said the vehicle belonged to one Mahesh. The documents and evidence collected from the vehicles would help the police to progress further , he said.
The lorries were seized today after information was received that they were parked in the Kodanchery lorry parking centre. Kodanchery police said they were informed of the seizure in due time by the special team.
Mr. Sadanandan said that the police have already identified over 100 persons involved in the Thamarassery violence after detailed analysis of photographs and clippings of the incident.
He said that 12 persons have been rounded up with regard to the forest office attack and arson case, while another 10 have been caught in the bar attack.
