Maoist, 17 others arrested in Goa

PANAJI - A 25-year-old leader of a fringe Orissa-based Maoist group was arrested in Goa along with 17 other people, police said Thursday.

“This evening we arrested Shambhu Beck, a resident of Sundargarh district in Orissa. He heads the Naxalite group Maowadi Trishul Manch (also known as Maobadi Trishul Machdu or MTM). He is wanted for crimes ranging from murder, kidnapping, dacoity and various other cases in Orissa under the Arms Act,” Superintendent of Police (CID) Atmaram Deshpande said.

The official also said that 17 other people from Orissa who were working in numerous industrial estates spread across the state were arrested for harbouring Beck.

“We were informed by the Sundargarh district police less than a week ago that Beck was taking shelter in Goa,” Deshpande said.

The official said that the police were not aware why Beck had taken shelter in Goa or whether he had any designs in the tourist state.

“The Orissa police have been informed. They will arrive here shortly to take custody of the accused,” the official said.

–Indo Asian News Service