Top Maoist leader arrested for alleged murder of VHP leader

Gudari (Rayagada), Apr 22 (ANI): Top Maoist group in-charge arrested here for allegedly masterminding the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Laxmanananda Saraswati.

Udaya alias P. Rama Rao aged 45, the commander of the Bansadhara division of the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), was arrested along with three of his associates from Turukuruguda village under the Gudari police limit of Rayagada.

They were held when a joint team of the Special Operation Group (SOG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) led by the District Superintendent of Police of Rayagada raided the place after specific intelligence inputs about Udaya's presence.

Police has also recovered several arms and weapons from them.

"After receiving the inputs, two teams of the SOG were mobilized from Rayagarh. During the operation, four Maoists were arrested. Among them, there was also the in- charge of Bansdhara division, Udaya. A pistol, a revolver, few bullets and three kit bags have been seized from them. The interrogation is still on," said Ashish Singh, District Superintendent of Police, Rayagada.

According to Ashish Singh, Udaya was wanted in more than 30 cases both in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh during 14 years of his involvement in the Naxalite movements. So they kept a close watch on his movements for the last six months.

Kandhamal, almost 200 kilometers from Rayagada witnessed widespread communal violence after the murder of Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram at Jaleshpata on Aug 23, 2008.

Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs. (ANI)