Landmines recovered in Orissa, six Maoists arrested

BHUBANESWAR - Tragedy was averted in Orissa’s Sundergarh district when two unexploded landmines were found fitted under two separate culverts during a combing operation, police said Tuesday. Six Maoist guerrillas were also arrested.

The rebels were held from Kalta area of the Maoist-infested Bonai sub-division, about 450 km from Bhubaneswar. They would be produced in a local court Tuesday, Superintendent of Police Diptesh Patnaik told IANS.

“They were involved in several crimes, including the murder of trade union leader Thomas Munda in January this year,” Patnaik said.

Maoists planted landmines under two separate culverts to trigger blasts Tuesday. “Thankfully we recovered the landmines,” Patnaik said.

Tuesday is the last day of the martyrs’ week which the Maoists have been observing since July 28.