Goa safe haven for Maoist elements: BJP

PANAJI - Goa has become a safe haven for Maoist elements, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged here Monday after two rebels were arrested in the state last week.

Former state BJP president Rajendra Arlekar said that the arrest of two Maoists militants, hailing from the violence-affected Sundargarh district of Orissa, from different parts of Goa proved that the state was a “hideout haven” for such elements.

“The fact that the two Naxalites (Maoists) were arrested in Goa shows that Goa is being used as a safe haven by these elements,” Arlekar told reporters at a press conference here.

He also said that the state police should not only try to track down guerrillas from the Sundargarh region of Orissa, but also from other states affected by Maoist violence.

“Not just this instance. There have been others instances in the past when terrorists and other anti-social elements have been taking shelter in Goa,” Arlekar said.

Two suspected Maoists, including one called Shambhu Beck wanted for murder and kidnapping in Sundargarh, were arrested from different parts of Goa last week. Both were taken to Orissa.

Police said Shambhu belonged to the Maoist Trishul Manch, a fringe rebel outfit operating out of Sundargarh.