NIA files fresh terror charges against two Kerala CPI (Maoist) rebels

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary charge sheet before the Special NIA Court in Ernakulam against two accused in the 2022 case involving the recruitment of youths for the armed wing of the banned CPI (Maoist) terrorist organisation.

The accused, R. Ragavendran (also known by multiple aliases) and B.G. Krishnamurthy (also known by several aliases), face fresh charges related to waging war against the government, an official confirmed on Thursday.

The NIA stated that Krishnamurthy, a Central Committee Member of CPI (Maoist), provided arms and ideological training in the forests of the Western Ghats to prepare recruits for armed conflict.

Originally from the Chikkamangalur district in Karnataka, he was inducted into the Kabani Dalam squad to organise terrorist camps and train the Under Ground (UG) cadres of the banned outfit.

Ragavendran, from Vellore, Tamil Nadu, was also part of the terror camp, according to the NIA.

Both have been charged under sections 18, 18B, 20, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and other offences.

The NIA has also charged the accused under sections 120B, 121A, and 122 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertain to criminal conspiracy and the collection of arms to wage war against the government.

The People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) case was registered suo moto by the NIA in February 2022.

It involves the recruitment of cadres into CPI (Maoist) and its armed wing, PLGA, which organised camps to advance the activities of the Maoist organisation and its affiliated outfit with the intent to destabilise the country.

(inputs from IANS)