Naxals' extortion, murder bid foiled; four held

Bellary, Karnataka, Mar 20 (UNI) The Bellary police have foiled a plot of the CPI(ML) naxalites to eliminate Vibhuthi Gudda Mines Managing Director S K Modi, with the arrest of four alleged ultras from a city lodge last night.

Superintendent of Police Pankajkumar Thakur told newspersons here that Rangareddy, a notorious naxal in Andhra Pradesh, had written to Mr Modi last month, demanding a ransom. As there was no response from Mr Modi, the extremists threatened him with dire consequences if he refused to part with the amount. But an unfazed Mr Modi approached the police. Enraged by his act, the naxals decided to finish him off and hatched a plot.

However, police got wind of the plot by intercepting their phone calls and apprehended one Suri near Rajapura village. Based on the information provided by him, police swung into action and arrested Hari and Hanumantha Rayudu from a city lodge, who were waiting for Rangareddy to attack Mr Modi. Later, one Pothanna was taken into custody at Renukanagar, he said, lauding the police officers.

Rangareddy, involved in 11 cases, however, managed to give a slip to the police.

Police seized two loaded pistols, including an imported one, over ten mobile phones and a vehicle from them.

The outfit targetted major mine owners of Bellary, Hospet and Sandur to extort money, needed for their movement and purchasing weapons.

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