Chidambaram: Tension gripped the central prison of Cuddalore after the Central Intelligence Bureau (IB) issued an alert that extremist organisation ISIS is planning to attack the premises to rescue their member, Ansar Meeran, who is currently lodged there. Following the alert, security has been beefed up in and around the jail complex.
According to sources, Ansar Meeran is from Thiruvidancode, in Kanyakumari district, and was serving for the Syrian extremism organisation and helping them run their operations in the region.
Following this, Ansar was arrested by the National Investigation Agency and housed at Puzhal prison in Chennai. Later, he was shifted to Cuddalore Central Jail after an internal commotion at Puzhal.
At this juncture, the IB is said to have received a tip-off regarding an attack on Cuddalore prison.
According to it, there is a special plan being made by the ISIS to help Ansar escape. An emergency message was sent to the Tamilnadu police that the ISIS will be demolishing a portion of the prison premises to bring Ansar out of it.
Tiruchi region DIG Shanmugasundaram rushed to the spot and a special team has been formed under him to tighten security around the prison. The officials also performed an inspection at several spots inside the jail complex, including the dining area, cells and halls allotted for housing extremists.
As many as 50 armed police personnel have been deployed inside the prison complex, led by Cuddalore DSP Taj Lamech, along with hundreds outside the prison. All roads that lead to Muthunagar in Cuddalore, where the prison is located, are being subjected thorough inspection to rule out the possibility of their being loaded with explosives. Also, the area is under the scanner for all kinds of suspicious activities.
In another development, during the raid this morning, it was found that a lifer, Mansoor Ali, lodged in Block 29, was found dead. He had reportedly committed suicide. Dejected at his separation from his family, he chose to take the extreme step, said the police.
Policemen have been deployed in large numbers in and around Cuddalore jail.