Sri Lanka, July 7 -- Former Provincial Council member K. Pushpakumar, also known as 'Iniya Bharathi', a close political associate of former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias 'Pillayan' (currently under detention order), was arrested yesterday (6), along with an accomplice by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The arrests follow a lengthy investigation into murders, abductions, disappearances, illegal firearm use, operating torture chambers, and extortion that occurred in the Eastern Province between 2005 and 2008.

The two suspects were apprehended in the Thirukkovil and Sandiveli areas.

Police Media Division stated that 'Iniya Bharathi' served as the leader of the armed camp in the Thirukkovi...