Hardcore naxalite Salbam Mukta and two others arrested

Bhubaneswar, Jan 21 (UNI) In a major breakthrough, the Special Operation Group (SOG) today arrested three naxalites, including Divisional Commander member and a hardcore naxalite Salbam Mukta involved in more than 50 murders, mostly in Chhattisgarh during the past one decade.

Malkangiri Police Superintendent Satish Gajbhiye told UNI over phone that the naxalites were arrested during a combing operation inside Kotaguda forest under the Motu police station, early this morning.

The SOG recovered landmine explosives, electronic detonators, two grenades, 49 gelatin sticks and one SBML gun from their possession.

All the three naxalites were forwarded to the court and later sent to jail custody.

Mr Gajbjiye said Salbam Mukta(30) was a naxalite since his childhood days and involved in the killing 22 CRPF jawans and four civilians in Dantewada in Chhattisgarh. He was also involved in the Birla village murder case, and the failed plan to kill Chhattisgarh Opposition leader Mahendra Karma.

Appointed as personal bodyguard to Bijaya Anna, Salbam Mukta was later appointed as Divisional Commander member and was sent to Orissa from Chhattisgarh by Ganapathy to operate the base in Malkangiri, the SP said.

Besides, the two other naxalites arrested by the SOG were identified as Kotam Mala and Motum Rama, both belonging to Dilliguda village under Motu police station.

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