Tension rises around PDP campus in Kerala

KOLLAM - Tension grew around the sprawling residence-cum-headquarters of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Abdul Nazir Maudany, accused in the 2008 Bangalore bombings, as party supporters flocked to the area following speculation that he would be arrested Saturday.

Police had to burst teargas shells to disperse the large crowd that had gathered at the PDP headquarters, while the district administration clamped prohibitory orders in and around Maudany’s compound and asked all those from outside the area to leave the place.

Maudany, meanwhile, made a last-ditch attempt to avoid arrest by filing an anticipatory bail plea in the Supreme Court.

The PDP chief currently resides at Anwaraserry, about 25 km from here, in a huge compound housing quite a few buildings. For the past one week, hundreds of his supporters, including women, are staying within the compound to resist his arrest.

A police team led by Kollam superindent of police Harshita Ataloori and 300 policemen has arrived at the place.

A team of Karnataka Police officials has been camping at Kollam for the past few days to take into custody Maudany and the decks appeared to have been cleared for his arrest after the home ministers of Kerala and Karnataka spoke to each other Friday.

Tension also arose when the Kerala Police personnel deployed for Maudany’s security were sought to be withdrawn but the PDP leadership insisted on a written order for this.

PDP leaders also asked the supporters to maintain calm and not to do anything provocative.

Party leaders’ announcement that they have filed an anticipatory bail plea in the Supreme Court suprised many, particularly when Maudany himself told the media early this week that he will not approach the apex court.

Maudany, who was reportedly unwell, tested negative for swine flu Friday.

The PDP chief has been trying to secure anticipatory bail. However, a court in Bangalore turned down his plea last month and the Karnataka High Court too rejected his plea last week.

He and his wife Sufiya have been under the scanner following the arrest of suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative T. Nazeer last year near the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya. He is currently in custody of the Bangalore police.

The PDP chief is accused of having links with Nazeer and knowing of the Bangalore plot. However, he has vehemently denied the charges. Maudany was jailed after being linked to the 1998 serial bombings in Coimbatore but was acquitted in 2007.