Hardcore Maoist leader and accomplice nabbed in Orissa

Bargarh, Jan 25 (ANI): A wanted Maoist and his associate have been arrested in Orissa's Bargarh District.

Maoist Girish alias Dhiren Mahato was arrested during a police raid and are in custody.

Bargarh's Superintendent of Police (SP) Kavita Jalan said Mahato was an old member of the Maoists Orissa organising committee.

She said both were picked up near Canal Road. A special police party conducted a raid and arrested him. She confirmed that firearms, twelve rounds of bullets, cash, maps of Bargarh and Orissa, and also the maps of some of the important police establishments besides Maoist literature and other commodities had been seized.

Jalan said Mahato's main objective was to revive the Maoist activities in the area.

The Maoist insurgency has gripped nearly a third of the country in its violent tentacles, spreading into the interiors of 20 of India's 28 states. This comes despite strong measures initiated by the Central Government to eradicate the ultras. (ANI)