The investigation of three Tamil extremists, arrested on Monday in neighbouring Theni district, has revaled the presence of a Maoist group in Tamil Nadu with links to Naxals in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

Initial investigation of the arrested, including two law college students, has found the existence of the new outift headquartered at Dharmapuri, which in the past witnessed Naxalite activities, police said.

It was suspected that about 400 college students from various places across the state would have become the members of the movement, they said.

Based on information given by the three arrested, the police were now conducting raids at various places to arrest their leaders and other members.

The three extremists were arrested on June 25 after they were nabbed from a forest area in Periyakulam taluk of Theni
district by residents of a nearby village.

Some others, including two women, managed to escape. The group was armed with latest rifles and grenades.

The main objective of the movement was to rob the rich, corrupt officials and give the booty to the poor.

According to initial investigation, the arms and explosives seized from them included grenades of high quality (make not known), pistols and some ammunitions.

The extremists had taken training in a clearing made in the Western Ghats and had come to Periyakulam for a second phase of training.

They had received funding from Maoist groups. DIG Intelligence A.K.Viswanathan had visited the spot where the extremists were nabbed.