Maoist operative arrested

A Maoist operative allegedly involved in several violent incidents was arrested during combing operations by security forces in a forest in Odisha's Malkangiri district, the police said today.
The ultra, identified as Singa Katami alias Mahesh, was picked up during a joint operation by the BSF and District Voluntary Force (DVF) in Sudhakunda forest in MV-79 area last evening, Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Mitrabhanu Mohapatra told reporters here.
The rebel, who hails from Sagarkata village under Motu police station jurisdiction, was visiting MV-79 area to participate in some function held by the Maoist outfit when he was caught by the security personnel, he said.

Mahesh had joined the banned CPI(Maoist) in 2009 and had been working under Kalimela Maobadi Dalam.
He was involved in a number of Maoist acts including a major encounter with security forces at Tentulipadar in 2011 and Janiguda BSF ambush in 2012, the SP said adding Mahesh also functioned as a bodyguard of Maoist leader Uday.
The arrested ultra was being interrogated to obtain information about activities of the Maoists in the region, the police said.