Following the recommendation of the Madurai Anti-Terrorism Squad and Tirunelveli City Commissionerate, the National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against 42-year-old Imtiaz, who was arrested for inciting and orchestrating the petrol bomb attack at Alangar Theatre on Nethaji Road, Melapalayam, Tirunelveli. The attack took place during the screening of the Tamil movie Amaran and was allegedly aimed at disrupting religious harmony.
Tirunelveli City Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Vinoth Santharam, along with the Madurai Anti-Terrorism Squad and Additional Superintendent of Police Kuppusamy, recommended NSA action against Imthiyas. Based on this recommendation, Tirunelveli City Police Commissioner Santosh Hadimani approved the move, leading to his preventive detention at Palayamkottai Central Prison.
Background
On January 2024, authorities arrested Imtiaz, the key suspect in the petrol bomb attack that occurred in the early hours of 16 November 2024. During the screening of Amaran, unknown individuals hurled three petrol bombs at Alankar Theatre. Fortunately, no casualties or major property damage were reported.
Initially, the case was investigated by local police under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Vijayakumar, leading to the detention of two suspects. The case was later transferred to the Anti-Terrorism Squad, with a special team led by SP Ramesh Krishnan conducting a thorough probe in the Melapalayam area.
Investigations revealed that the attack was ideologically driven. Imthiyas, a resident of Al-Amin Nagar in Melapalayam, was identified as the mastermind behind the bombing. Authorities confirmed his alleged affiliation with a terrorist organization and his involvement in other pending cases.
After evading arrest for a significant period, Imthiyas was finally apprehended in Athur, Tuticorin district. Several individuals had already been arrested in connection with the attack, including Syed Mohammed Buhari, Mohammed Yusuf Rasheen, Kola Badusha, Sirajuddin, and Nisar—all from Melapalayam.
Authorities continue their investigation, focusing on uncovering further links and networks associated with the incident.
(With inputs from Thesubeditor Tamil)
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