Five hardcore Maoists held in Bihar

Chapra, Feb 3 (PTI) Five hardcore Maoists, includingtheir self-styled commander, have been arrested and overrupees seven lakh seized during raids at Chapra in Sarandistrict of Bihar, police said.

Acting on a tip-off, police raided a hostel of thestate welfare department here yesterday and arrested theMaoists, including their leader Nakul ji, DIG (Saran range) SK Sinha told reporters today.

Police also raided the house of an advocate allegedlytaken on rent by the naxalites and seized Rs 7,44,000 in cash,besides naxalite literature, he said.

The arrested persons were wanted in connection withseveral cases, Sinha said.

Meanwhile, armed naxalites raided the house of oneBhattu Singh at Prithvipur village in the district last nightand triggered a dynamite blast blowing up a portion of thehouse, the DIG said.

The naxalites had three years ago killed SurendraSingh, Bhattu Singh''s brother, he said.

One person was arrested in connection with the attack.