Thaindian News

Kolkata, Jan 20 (IANS) Security forces Wednesday arrested three suspected Maoists and claimed to have seized a laptop and headphones used by elusive rebel leader Koteshwar Rao alias Kishanji in West Midnapore district.
Acting on a tip-off that Kishanji had taken shelter in a 20-km jungle between Jitushol and Dumurpota under Kotwali police station, the security forces comprising paramilitary troopers and state policemen conducted a raid and made the arrests and seizures.

West Midnapore Superintendent of Police Manoj Verma told reports in Midnapore town that those arrested include two women. The raids began Tuesday and continued until Wednesday morning.

“We had information from Dhanapati Mahato, a Maoist whom we had arrested recently that Kishanji was hiding in the area. We believe that the laptop and headphone belonged to Kishanji,” he said.

“After interrogating the three and checking circumstantial evidence we are convinced that Kishanji was in the area,” Verma said.

The joint security forces have been deployed in the Lalgarh belt of the district since middle of last year to flush out Maoists who have a stronghold in parts of the region.