Maoist leader arrested in Uttar Pradesh

A Maoist leader, carrying a cash reward of Rs.300,000 on his head, was arrested from a forest in Uttar Pradesh's Sonebhadra district, police said on Friday.

The police along with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Thursday arrested Munna Vishwakarma, a self-styled zonal commander of the banned organisation, after receiving a tip-off about his presence in the Kanch forest area of Sonebhadra, around 415 km from here.

Another Maoist leader, Ajit Kole, was also arrested, Sonebhadra Superintendent of Police Sri Krishna said.

A large quantity of arms and ammunition including, four rifles, two pistols and a walkie-talkie set, has been recovered, police said.

Police were on the look out for the two Maoist guerrillas for their involvement in a land mine blast Nov 20, 2004 in which a truck belonging to 36 Battalion of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) was blown up in Sonebhadra district, killing 16 personnel.

The duo had also blown up a forest outpost in the Manjgai area of Chandauli district, killing three forest officials, Krishna said.

Vishwakarma was wanted in about 24 cases registered against him in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and carried a cash reward of Rs.300,000 on his head. Kole has about 20 cases registered against him, police said.