The Chennai Police have alerted their New Delhi counterpart to the cases against visiting Sri Lankan Minister for Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Douglas Devananda.
“We have sent a message to the Delhi Police Commissioner that Douglas Devananda is a proclaimed offender. We are in touch with the Delhi Police…a response is awaited,” Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran said here on Thursday.
According to a police report, Douglas Devananda alias Devananda alias Anand was involved in three cases in Chennai, including a murder and kidnap for ransom. On November 1, 1986, an EPRLF cadre opened fire on local people in the Choolaimedu area in which one person died and four others suffered bullet injuries.
Mr. Devananda and nine others were arrested on charges of murder and attempt to murder. Two AK 47 assault rifles and ammunition were seized from the accused persons who were also booked under the provisions of the Indian Arms Act and Explosives Substances Act.
In November 1988, Mr. Devananda and 25 others were arrested for allegedly kidnapping a ten-year-old boy on the Poonamallee High Road for ransom. A police team rescued the boy. A couple of years later, the Director of a company lodged a complaint with the police that Mr. Devananda and others came to his office and threatened him at gun-point to join their movement. A case of unlawful assembly and criminal intimidation was registered, the report said.
Visits to Tamil Nadu
Mr. Devananda has made several trips to India, including Tamil Nadu, after these cases were registered, but this is the first time the Tamil Nadu police are seeking action against him. Indeed, Mr. Devananda has camped in Chennai and met several top political leaders over the years.
Director General of Police Letika Saran said Devananda had not visited the State in the last two or three years. “We do not get the details about the visit of foreign dignitaries to New Delhi. The entourage particulars of such visiting VVIPs are also not known to us. Now that we know he (Douglas Devananda) is here, the Chennai Police Commissioner has sent a request to his counterpart in New Delhi,” she told TheHindu.
Parrying questions on whether the Tamil Nadu police would send a team to New Delhi, Ms. Saran said the State police had no information on the programme of Mr. Devananda and a response was awaited from New Delhi.
