CBI arrests ex-IB officer for murder

NEW DELHI: In another murky turn to the bizarre Operation Leech of 1998, in which at least six Burmese rebels were killed and several arrested, the Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested the chief of security of Kochi International Airport in connection with the murder of an advocate who was representing the rebels.

KC Suresh Kumar, a commandant with the Central Industrial Security Force, was with the Intelligence Bureau in Port Blair when T Vasantha was murdered in 2004. She was fighting for the release of 34 Burmese rebels, who, the Indian military alleged, were supplying arms and ammunition to militants from the Northeast.

The arrested people were, in reality, rebels who were opposing the junta in their country with India’s help. An Indian colonel, who was their liaison, is suspected to have double-crossed Delhi and the rebels at the junta’s behest.

The arrest of Kumar is the latest twist in the saga of Operation Leech, which took place on February 11, 1998.

An extensive effort, with active intelligence involvement, has been underway, despite the CBI probe ordered by former defence minister George Fernandes, to prevent the truth being made public. Reason: details of India’s involvement with the rebels would embarrass New Delhi, which has since developed close ties with the Burmese military regime.

A source said Kumar is being interrogated in Kolkata. The case would be heard there on March 21.