Two hardcore Maoists arrested from Narayanpatna

JEYPORE: Two hardcore Maoists were arrested by the joint forces Special Operations Group and Border Security Forces during a combing operation in the Dandabadi and Kanchanpadu jungle under Narayanpatna police station limits in Koraput district on Wednesday.

The red rebels, allegedly involved in about eight cases, were identified as Arjun Meleka and Musuri Wateka of Narayanpatna area, were nabbed during combing operation by the joint security force personnel in the red-hit zone, said Koraput Superintendent of Police Awinash Kumar.

The police had issued warrant in the name of the ultras who were involved in about eight criminal cases including Narayanpatna police station attack case, murder, landmine explosion and attack on security forces in the area, the SP informed.

The police recovered country-made guns, rifles and Maoist literature from the possession of the duo. The duo was working for the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) and then from 2010, they are working for the Maoists organisation.   

According to the police, they are examining about the possible involvement of the duo in the recent abduction of BJD MLA of Laxmipur Jhinna Hikaka. But Arjun Meleka, one of the two arrested Maoists, denied the charge of involvement in the abduction incident of the MLA. “I never seen MLA before, I have seen him from the newspaper only,” said Arjun.

They were acting as mediators in between the CMAS and Maoists, said the police adding, involvement of Meleka in the MLA abduction has not ruled out, but after the investigation it would come out.  

Combing operation and patrolling by security forces had been intensified in the Maoist area as part of an exercise to locate other ultras, police said.