Maoist dies in escape bid

Sambalpur, Aug 17 (UNI) A Maoist was killed in an abortive attemt to flee from police custody in Deogarh district.

Police said Mahali Bada alias Akash (35) was arrested for his alleged involvement with Maoists on Friday from Laimura.

During interrogation, Akash told police that he had kept some arms and ammunition in a cave of Gangajal hills. Believing his statement police took him to the hill yesterday to recover the arms.

But once in the hill Akash jumped off the hill in a bid to escape and fell 20 feet below. He sustained injuries.

Police hospitalized him in the district headquarters hospital where he died just after few minutes.

According to police Akash had link with Rabin, another Maoist arrested from Jagatsingpur district a few days back.

Deogarh Police Superintendent Sanjeev Arora said Akash was reorganizing Maoists in Sambalpur and Deogarh and enrolling them new members.

Police have registered a case and the body was handed over to his brother for cremation, he added.

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