Two Maoists arrested in Odisha

Rourkela police on Thursday arrested two hardcore Maoists and said they were part of a group of Red rebels who were planning to attack security camps in some western districts.

Identified as Sudhir Bhuiyan alias Bishram (24) and Habil Horo (23), the duo belong to the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand and were accused in several murder cases. They were arrested from the Saranda forests bordering Odisha and Jharkhand in the wee hours of the day in a joint operation by a unit of the District Voluntary Force and one platoon of A-19 Battalion of the CRPF under the command of Bondamunda IIC PK Biswal with assistance from SI M Pradhan of K Bolanga police station.

Their interrogation revealed that the Maoists were planning to attack “soft targets” such as security forces camps, training centres and the like in western Odisha, said Western Range DIG Yaswant Jethwa in a Press conference.

Jethwa said, “We have sounded alert to RPF, CISF camps and other installations,” and added that the forces have started joint operation in various areas to thwart any such move by the ultras. As per the plan of the Maoists’ Saranda platoon, about 100 cadres with help from other areas could strike any place in the region.”

Stating that the arrest was vital as the arrested duo revealed the Maoist plan on co-ordination among the cadres of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha to strengthen the sagging confidence of the outlawed organisation, Jethwa informed that they were nabbed about 2 am at Lungra Ghati under K.Balang police station by a joint team of the CRPF and the District Voluntary Force following a tip-off.

Both the Maoists, Bhuiyan and Horo, were accused in the killing of Ajit Bardhan, a sub-inspector of police in 2009, and former woman Maoist Kandri Lohar and her four-year-old son last year. Lohar had left the CPI-Maoist and joined the police as a home guard. They were also allegedly involved in looting Rs 49 lakh from a vehicle on August 6, 2010.

According to Jethwa on August 6, 2010, about 25-30 armed Maoists, including the two, under the leadership of Anmol Hembram alias Samarji and Prashant looted cash of Rs 49 lakh from Barsuan Ghat near Tinko Ghati while it was being transported from Lahunipada ADB  to SBI Barsuan branch in a Marshal Jeep. On the report of SBI Bonai branch manager Laxman Behera, a case was registered at Lahunipada PS. Jethwa said the arrested two were under the active command of Anmol, who coordinated movement of Naxal cadre in Odisha part of Saranda forest.

Jethwa said Anmol, Sandeep of Deogarh division, and Kunu Dehury, who is heading Sambalpur along with Abhaya and Ajaya from Saranda platoon of guerrilla division of the Maoists, came together and have made a plan to strike soft targets.

Police in all the neighbouring districts like Deogarh, Sambalpur, Angul and Keonjhar have been informed about the possibility of an attack, police sources said. The police have seized one double barrel country made pistol and ammunition from Bhuiyan and Horo. The Rourkela SP and CRPF commandant were also present.