Top Maoist leader, wife arrested

Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, Dec 5 (UNI) State CPI (Maoist) Member and Nallamala Division Platoon Committee Secretary N Panduranga Reddy alias Sagar was today arrested along with his wife Mery alias Madhavi by the Prakasham District Police.

The police here said Sagar was carrying a reward of Rs three lakh on his head. He belongs to Laxmipuram Village of Ardhavedu Mandal in Prakasham District and had joined the Maoist party in 1992.

His father Ranaga Reddy, mother Eswaramma and sister Ramulamma were also active members of the party.

Sagar's mother and sister were killed in a police encounter.

He himself had close brush with death several times during encounters with the police.

The police said the Maoist leader would be produced before Markapuram Magistrate tomorrow.

UNI