Country's biggest ammunition catch seized, two Maoists arrested

Sambalpur, Dec 16 (UNI) In the biggest ever ammunition catch in the country, the Sambalpur police seized 2400 rounds of live ammunition from a Maoist hide out inside the Jarang forest today.

Sambalpur Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar claimed the seizure as the highest in the country.

Mr Kumar said the ammunition included SLR, 9mm and 303 ball ammunition, 23 huge land mines-each weighing more than 10 kg, a walkie-talkie and a charger.

The SP said the ammunition were seized following interrogation of two Maoists-James alias Pawan Lohar and Udhab who were arrested from Bara bazar area of Sambalpur town last night.

The district Police Chief said James who hails from Buruharu village under Bundu police station of Jharkhand is an expert in guerilla warfare, explosions and in landmine blasts. He was involved in the killings of 52 Police officers in Jharkhand.

James was the zonal commander for SDS (Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sundargarh) and the founder member of Maoist group in Orissa.

As many as 32 different cases of serious nature were pending against him, Mr Kumar said The SP said James had already surveyed the district armory and different police stations with an aim looting them.James and Udhab who were presented before the media persons by the police said how the ladies were being sexually exploited by the senior maoist leaders..

They said Damdeo and Girish, two senior Maoists, allured young boys and girls by promising them jobs and fight against corruption but later exploited them.

They also regularly collected money from the businessmen and contractors. Being fed up with the attitude of the seniors particularly Damdeo and Girish. I was thinking to surrender before the police but before that the police arrested me''James said.

UNI