Raipur emerges as nodal point of Naxal supplies in C'garh

With a strong urban network of Maoists resurfacing in the cities of Chhattisgarh, capital Raipur has emerged as a key centre for supply of logistics like clothes, arms and ammunition.

More than the attacks in forests, what has left the police baffled are a couple of recent incidents where arms and ammunition were found in Raipur and its adjoining cities.

The arrest of three Maoist couriers, who were allegedly handling the urban operations of Naxals, along with ammunition two days back in the district has once again set the alarm bell ringing for the Raipur Police.

"Close vigil is being kept to trace every suspected movement in and around Raipur. We have certain inputs of assistance being provided to the rebels from town areas and we are taking appropriate action on that," Raipur Superintendent of Police O P Pal told PTI.

The arrest is likely to unfold more information about the Maoist conduit operating in city area as their questioning has led to nabbing of two other Naxals from Bhanupratappur in Kanker who were working for urban module, he said.

The fresh arrest also revealed that Maoist arms couriers are not only using four-wheelers but also motorcycles to carry small consignments of ammunition and other commodities for the Reds in their stronghold Bastar.

"The consignment was being supplied on a motorcycle and no doubt they have done it earlier several times," the SP said.

For the first time a major Naxal urban network was busted in 2008 with the arrest of eight persons, including a journalist Prafulla Jha, and a huge cache of arms and ammunition, electronic gadgets and uniforms were seized from Danganiya of Raipur and Bilaspur, police sources said.

Since 2012 there has been a rise in cases of seizure of arms and ammunition from the city.