Petrol bomb attacks Three PFI members arrested in Pollachi

COIMBATORE: Three Popular Front of India (PFI) members were arrested in Pollachi near Coimbatore on Monday for hurling petrol bombs and attacking vehicles of Hindu outfit functionaries on September 22.

Police said J Muhammed Rafiq (26), Rameez Raja (36) and Malik alias Sadiq Basha (32), all hailing from different areas in Pollachi and holding various posts in PFI were arrested for damaging two cars, two autos and a load vehicle belonging to BJP, RSS and Hindu Munnani functionaries. They hurled petrol bombs after NIA raids on PFI.

In connection with the string of attacks, police filed five cases and seven special teams were formed to nab the culprits. “More than 250 CCTV’s were checked and cell phones of over 500 persons were tracked to zero down the culprits. Efforts were on to nab a few suspects too,” said a cop.

Though normalcy returned, police continued to be on heightened vigil in Coimbatore by continuing vehicle checks and security was beefed up in vital installations besides places of worship.

Two SDPI functionaries, Jesuraj (34) and Iliyaz (34), who hurled petrol bombs and damaged properties of Hindu outfit functionaries in Kuniamuthur would be taken into police custody for detailed probe, said Coimbatore City Police Commissioner V Balakrishnan