IPOH, June 26 — The police have detained 32 men and a woman believed to be linked to secret society activities in Sungai Siput near here yesterday.

The suspects aged between 22 and 55 were picked up about 4.30pm during an operation, ‘Ops Cantas’ at Persiaran Lintang Makmor 9 in Taman Lintang Makmor.

At the time of their arrests, the suspects were involved in a secret society initiation ceremony, said state CID chief, Datuk Gan Tian Kee.

"The police also seized two chickens believed to have been used in the ritual,” he said in a statement here today.

He said initial investigations revealed that six men had previous criminal records, adding that the case would be investigated under Section 52 (3) of the Societies Act 1966. — Bernama