Six Maoists and their sympathisers arrested

Six Maoists and their sympathisers involved in torching of a police outpost in the communally-sensitive Kandhamal were arrested and materials for making landmines seized at Orissa's Gajapati and Sundargarh districts, police said today.

While three Maoists were arrested at Ghudubudu, in between Safalguda and Marjipanka of Gajapati district, three of their sympathisers were nabbed from Bisra in Sundargarh district yesterday, they said.

The three ultras identified as Jakhya Mutta Majhi, Afira Badamajhi and Ajit Badamajhi of Bansadhara division of Maoists belonged to Safalguda and Raliguda villages, Sanjeev Arora, Gajapati district's superintendent of police, said.

The arrest was made during a joint combing operation by police from Gajapati, Rayagada and Kandhamal districts.

Besides torching Katingia police outpost in Kandhamal, the trio were also allegedly involved in the blasting of a forest beat house at Paniganda in Gajapati district in 2009.

Three guns, ten pairs of Maoist uniforms and a tarpaulin sheet was seized from the ultras, he said.

In the other incident, three Maoist sympathisers, who have been supplying materials like detonators, gelatins, steel containers, electric wire and police uniforms to Maoists were arrested from Bisra town after a tip-off.

20 detonators, 20 gelatins, six steel containers, one bundle of wire and a pair of Maoist uniforms were seized from them.

Investigation into both the incidents was still continuing, police said.

About a month ago two businessmen from Bisra were arrested while transporting clothes, dress and rations for the Maoists.