National Investigation Agency
The NIA’s Absconded Tracking Team (ATT) in Bangalore played a crucial role in capturing Mohamed Imran Khan. The team had been monitoring his movements for several months, ultimately leading to his apprehension in Theni. Imran Khan, originally from Ramanathapuram in South Tamil Nadu, was not a stranger to law enforcement agencies. It has been alleged that Mohamed Imran Khan was involved in various illegal activities in the region, and he was wanted by multiple law enforcement agencies.
Imran Khan’s role in a broader conspiracy involving international human trafficking is of significant concern. He served as the main conduit responsible for transporting Sri Lankan nationals to India and, subsequently, to other countries. The victims were lured with false promises, including the prospect of obtaining legitimate documentation for emigration to Canada and securing employment.
The origin of this case trace back to the actions of Mangalore South Police. Acting on credible intelligence, they uncovered a group of Sri Lankan nationals who had arrived in Mangalore without valid documents. This operation resulted in the arrest of 38 Sri Lankan nationals on June 6, 2021, in Mangalore.
NIA’s Involvement in the arrest of Mohamed Imran Khan
Recognising the international dimensions of this case, the NIA intervened and re-registered it. The NIA had initially registered a case in 2021 when the Tamil Nadu Police Q Branch secured 21 Sri Lankan nationals and four agents in Mangalore. Thus far, the NIA has arrested 13 suspects and filed a charge sheet against five individuals, including Dhinakaran, Kasi Viswanathan, Rasool, Satham Ushein, and Abdul Muheetu. While the Sri Lankan nationals were booked under the Foreigners Act, Indian operatives were charged with human trafficking.
Explaining the reasons for his arrest, the NIA said, “The instant case originated when the Mangalore South Police acted on credible intelligence, revealing that a group of Sri Lankan nationals had arrived and taken residence in Mangalore without possessing valid documents. This operation led to the arrest of 38 Sri Lankan nationals on the June 6, 2021 from Mangalore. He is a smuggler and fugitive wanted by several agencies. He, along with a Sri Lankan national named Eesan, formerly associated with the LTTE , devised a plan to illegally transport 61 Sri Lankan nationals from the Island nation to various places in Tamil Nadu. The duo lured them with false promises, including the prospect of getting legitimate documentation for emigration to Canada and securing employment”.
Imran Khan’s Activities Beyond Trafficking
The recent arrests and activities of individuals like Imran Khan raise questions about whether Tamil Nadu is becoming a hub for terrorists and illegal activities. In various instances, Tamil Nadu has been a focal point for counter-terrorism operations.
Syed Nabeel Ahmmed, the fugitive chief of the ISIS Thrissur module, was captured in Chennai by the NIA’s Fugitive Tracking Team, thwarting his attempts to flee the country.
Is Tamil Nadu an Emerging Hub for Terrorists ?
On October 11, 2023, the NIA conducted searches at the residence of A. Thajuddin Haamidih, alias Muhammad Tajuddin, in Madurai as part of a crackdown on Popular Front of India terrorists.
The NIA arrested nine people in December 2022 from a special camp for Sri Lankan refugees in Trichy after receiving information that they were all working with Haji Salim, a Pakistan-based drug smuggler. He is suspected of being involved in the March 2021 incident near Kerala’s Vizhinjam port, when Indian defence forces intercepted a boat carrying 300 kg of heroin, five AK-47 machine guns, and 1,000 rounds of 9mm bullets.
NIA says “all of these incidents are connected to a group of Sri Lankan Tamils who are allegedly working to resurrect the banned terrorist organisation Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) through drug smuggling and illegal arms dealing.”
To lend credence to this, a group of ten Sri Lankan Muslims arrived from Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka to Munnakadu seaside near Mandapam in Rameswaram district on October 11. It is alleged that they came in two boats. After dropping them in TN soil one boat left back to Sri Lanka, while the other was left in Indian soil. These happened when the State and Central agencies were conducting the Sagar Kavash exercise to strengthen coastal security. When the police approached the boat owner, he said that he was the owner, and someone approached him for taking his boats for rental two days ago. After finding something fishy in their intention, he refused their demand. But they took away his boats without his knowledge,” he told police.
In December 2022, the NIA arrested nine individuals from a special camp for Sri Lankan refugees in Trichy, suspecting their involvement with Haji Salim, a Pakistan-based drug smuggler. This case is linked to the interception of a boat near Kerala’s Vizhinjam port in March 2021, carrying heroin and weapons.
Connection to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
The NIA has pointed out that these incidents are connected to a group of Sri Lankan Tamils allegedly working to resurrect the banned terrorist organisation, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), through drug smuggling and illegal arms dealing. This raises concerns about the resurgence of a group with a violent past.
Adding to the concerns is a recent incident where a group of ten Sri Lankan Muslims arrived from Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka to Munnakadu seaside near Mandapam in Rameswaram district. Allegedly, they arrived in two boats, with one departing back to Sri Lanka after dropping them on Indian soil. This occurred during the Sagar Kavach exercise, aimed at strengthening coastal security.
Ongoing Investigation and Efforts
Local police, the Q branch, coastal security agencies, IB, and RAW officials are actively involved in determining the whereabouts and intentions of these individuals. It is worth noting that these individuals arrived without proper documentation, raising questions about their purpose in India.
The recent arrests and incidents in Tamil Nadu highlight the complex challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating human trafficking, terrorism, and illegal activities in the region. These cases underscore the need for continuous vigilance and international cooperation to address such threats effectively.
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