Thaindian News

Kolkata, Feb 15 (IANS) Two Maoist squad members were arrested in police raids from two western districts of West Bengal, police said Tuesday.”Uttam Mahato, an active member of the Maoist squad led by Gautam Rana operating in Jhargram sub-division of West Midnapore district, was arrested Tuesday,” said Praveen Tripathi, superintendent of Jhargram police district.

Uttam, who was nabbed from his native place Tatai, was wanted in several cases, including four murders, arson and damaging government properties, Tripathi told IANS over phone.

The other Maoist, Chinmoy Murmu, was arrested from Taldangra area of Bankura district.

“Acting on specific information about some senior Maoist leaders assembled in Taldangra area, we conducted a raid and arrested Chinmoy. A firearm, ammunition and Maoist documents were recovered from him,” Bankura Police Superintendent Pranav Kumar told IANS.

Chinmoy was an active member of Maoist squad run by Ranjit Pal in Ayodhya Hills in Purulia district. He then shifted to Lalgarh to assist senior leaders. Recently, Chinmoy was assigned to strengthen the outlawed party’s base in Taldangra area.

“Chinmoy was brought before a local court and has been remanded in police custody for 13 days,” said Kumar.

The Maoists are active in three western districts of the state - West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia.