A suspected Naxalite, wanted in a double murder case, was arrested in Mettur in Salem district.

Palanivel, 35, a native of Pulikadathanur in Salem district, is a wanted in a double murder case in Veeranam in 2004, and a special team was formed to nab him, police said.

Meanwhile, the Q branch of police received information that Palanivel, who has links with Naxals, was staying in Namakkal and working as a painter, and used to visit Mettur as part of his work, they said.

Keeping tight vigil on his movements, the police managed to nab him last evening, after a chase near Mettur. After preliminary interrogation, he was produced before the Mettur Judicial Magistrate, who remanded him to judicial custody for 15 days. He was lodged in the Salem Central Jail this morning, police said.

Palanivel has many cases against him in Salem and Theni police stations. He reportedly used to travel regularly to Odisha to receive Naxal training.