So our reporter, in Pune, has spoken to the Pune police. Here are some of the things they told him by way of the arrests. Am posting (largely) without comment. Police claim these arrests are result of huge data trove they seized after the June 'naxal plot' arrests. 1/n
That data, they claim, had proof that the current set of accused were planning a 'big conspiracy'. (What this conspiracy is not clear) 2/n
The accused, claim police, were in touch with 35 colleges and universities for recruiting youngsters to 'take their movement forward'. Were in touch with professors as well. 3/n
More specifically, police claim Varavara Rao was the 'think tank' for 'urban naxals'.
Gautam Navlakha used to (wait for it) 'coordinate with Naxals extremists in Kashmir' (!). Sudha Bharadwaj and Arun Ferreira 'used to give legal assistance' (to whom is not clear). 4/n
Gautam Navlakha used to (wait for it) 'coordinate with Naxals extremists in Kashmir' (!). Sudha Bharadwaj and Arun Ferreira 'used to give legal assistance' (to whom is not clear). 4/n
Here is where it gets even fuzzier: police claim that those arrested are 'behind Bhima Koregaon violence', but also told our reporter that they are yet to ascertain 'how they succeeded in inciting the violence'! 5/n
Police also say that they have no fresh leads in the 'plot to kill PM'. In other words, these arrests appear to have no link to that aspect. 6/n
Finally, police claim they were monitoring those raided/arrested for a week before the raids, which helped them gather 'fresh evidence' (no specifics given). The Chief Minister of Maharashtra was briefed before the raids. --fin--
