Suspected Maoist nabbed during combing operation dies

A suspected Maoist, nabbed during combing operation, died in police custody in Orissa's Rayagada district, police sources said today. 

Pidira Kadesika (35) was picked up along with explosives and arms by special operation group from the dense forest of Tugapalanka under Chandrapur police station area, about 100 km from here on June 1, they said.

Pidira suddenly fell ill with signs of breathing problem after being brought here by a police team yesterday, additional superintendent of police Santosh Mall said.

He was immediately admitted to the district headquarters hospital where doctors declared him dead, he said adding the body was sent for a post-mortem and efforts were on to ascertain the circumstances that led to his death.

Police had seized a huge quantity of explosive materials, a country made gun, four live cartridges, a VHF set and some
banners and posters from Pidira, police said.

Meanwhile, road communication between Muniguda and
Chandrapur was disrupted due to felling of trees on the way by Maoists, apparently in protest against the death of Pidira, sources said.