Area commander of Maoists held in Orissa

A hardcore Maoist, allegedly involved many crimes including looting of EVMs in the last general elections, was arrested in Orissa's Malkangiri district.

Superintendent of police Satyabrata Bhoi said Balabhadra Madhi, 30, was picked up during a combing operation by CRPF and Special Operations Group (SOG) in Salimarikuanda forest in Kalimela area while moving in a suspicious manner yesterday.

During interrogation it was found out that Madhi is an area commander of the Maoists.

He was involved in EVM looting, vehicle burning and booth capturing and other Maoist activities during the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections held in April this year, Bhoi said.

Meanwhile, Balimela-Chitrakonda road which connects Andhra Pradesh with Orissa had been blocked by the Maoists putting boulders and felling trees near Chidrakonda Ghat in protest against the planned anti-Maoist operation of the government.

As a result, Chitrakonda remained cut off from the district headquarter town since yesterday, police said.

The Maoists also demanded withdrawal of CRPF from the district and asked the people to make their proposed Orissa bandh successful on November 4 and 5.