Wanted Maoist leader arrested in Bihar

Gaya, Sep 5 (ANI): Bihar police arrested a Maoist leader, wanted in two-dozen cases of murder, robbery and kidnapping here on Friday.

Vinod Mehta alias Marandi was the founder of Revolutionary Communist Centre (RCC), officials said.

Marandi, along with two of his associates, was arrested from Sherghati town.

Officials said Marandi was earlier a self-styled commander of Maoist Communist Centre (MCC), before snapping ties and founding his own outfit.

"Earlier he was a sub-zonal commander of MCC. He snapped his links with MCC. When he got out of jail, he formed a new terrorist organisation called RCC (Revolutionary Communist Centre)," said Ranjan Kumar, deputy superintendent of police, Sherghati town.

The central government banned and formally labelled Maoist insurgents as a terrorist group, hoping it would give security forces more enforcement powers after the rebels briefly created a 'liberated zone' in Lalgarh region of West Bengal recently.

Some experts said the ban would have little impact in the battle against an estimated 22,000 Maoist combatants. (ANI)