Odisha Police STF begins interrogation of SIMI operatives

The Special Task Force (STF) under the Odisha Police Crime Branch on Thursday began the interrogation of the five SIMI activists, who were arrested in Rourkela during a joint operation with the Telangana police.

An eight-member STF team led by Crime Branch IG Arun Kumar Bothra arrived at Rourkela after the local police took the four SIMI operatives and a woman on a seven-day remand. The STF also moved the local court, seeking 30 days remand for the five persons as they were involved in a series of crimes in multiple states.

"Our people have started interrogation of the five persons at Rourkela. We will like to ascertain their activities in the state and their associates who helped them stay in the state as well as arrange fake documents,” said Crime Branch Special DG B K Sharma.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the operatives of the SIMI had local contacts, who arranged houses for them on rent and facilitated their stay in the state. Besides Rourkela, they had also taken shelter in Bhadrak district for some time.