CPI(Maoist) activist arrested in Bengal

Kolkata, Feb 23 (UNI) Police arrested a person, suspected to be the top functionary of the underground CPI(Maoist) in West Bengal, from a railway station in North 24 Parganas district today.

The suspect, who claimed himself to be 'Somen', the state Secretary of the organisation, was picked up by a team of CID personnel following a tip-off.

''We have arrested a person from Hridaypur station near Barasat.

He has identified himself as Somen. But we are yet to establish his exact identity, '' DIG CID Rajeev Mishra said.

The suspected Maoist was taken to Bhavani Bhabhan, the state police headquarters for interrogation.

However, claiming it to be a 'prize catch', a senior official of the state police said the person, in his thirties, was 'almost certain' to be Somen.

''Police have been on his trail for a long time. I think the man arrested is Somen,'' he said.

The Maoists, having their base in West Bengal in Purulia, West Midnapore and Bankura districts, triggered a series of violent incidents over the past few years.

UNI KDG SJC KD RK2138