Maoist leader produced in court

Maoist leader Roopesh who was arrested on the charges of carrying out Maoist activities in Kodagu and the border areas of the state, was brought amid tight security and produced before the District Principal and Sessions Court on Tuesday.

He was picked from a Kerala prison by Kodagu Anti Naxal Force on Monday evening and was confined at the district prison in Karnangeri. He was brought to the premises of the court at 10.30 am on Tuesday.

Roopesh raised pro-Maoist slogans in the court premises. He also raised victory slogan for Jalil, who was killed by the police during an encounter in Wayanad of Kerala.

After recording Roopesh’s statement Principal District and Sessions Judge Veerabhadrappa V Mallapure adjourned the case to April 10.

Roopesh was later taken to Kannur. The security was tightened following Maoist activities in the border areas of Kodagu district during the last fifteen days. The ANF personnel were deployed on the route.

Roopesh has been accused of leading a group of Maoists and the group was in Kaluru and Parakatageri in 2010 and Cherambane in 2013.

The group was accused of distributing handbills containing pro-Maoist messages in them, to villagers staying in the border areas. Cases have been registered in Srimangala and Bhagamandala police stations.

Roopesh was arrested during a joint operation by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu police in Coimbatore several years back. Kodagu police took him in their custody in 2015.