Thaindian News

Kolkata, Nov 20 (IANS) A Maoist suspected to be involved in the 2009 Rajdhani Express hijack was remanded to police custody by a court in West Bengal’s West Midnapore while another rebel surrendered in Purulia district, police said Sunday.

“Nirmal Mahato, an active Maoist guerilla wanted in several cases including the Rajdhani Express hijack, was today (Sunday) remanded to police custody after he was produced before a Jhargram (West Midnapore) court. He was arrested Saturday night from Banstola in Jhargram,” Jhargram Superintendent of Police Gaurav Sharma told IANS.

The Maoists-backed tribal body People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) is alleged to be behind the Oct 27, 2009 hijacking of the New Delhi-bound Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express near Banstola in Jhargram.

The hijackers had seized the train for over six hours demanding the release of several Maoists arrested by the police earlier.

In Purulia district, Rabi Mandi, an active Maoist, surrendered before police chief Sunil Chowdhury.

“Mandi, an active Maoist since the last two years, was involved in several cases of violence. The 19 year old today (Sunday) surrendered before us. We are now processing the rehabilitation surrender policy,” said Chowdhury.

Mandi’s surrender follows the surrender of a Maoist couple Rajaram Soren, 34, and his wife, Jagori Baskey, 26 who gave up arms before Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday.

The West Bengal government led by Banerjee had earlier announced a revised surrender-cum-rehabilitation package under which a surrendering Maoist ultra among other things would get a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 for a period of three years, while the state government would make a fixed deposit of Rs 1.5 lakh for three years.