Folk singer arrested for being Maoist linkman

KOLKATA - A folk singer, suspected of being a Maoist linkman, was arrested Saturday in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district, police said.

“Ajit Mahato of Golbandi village near Manikpara in Jhargram sub-division of the district was arrested for acting as Maoist informer. He was detained by the joint forces during a search operation in Manikpara area Saturday morning and arrested after interrogation,” Jhargram Superintendent of Police Praveen Tripathi told IANS.

“Mahato, a folk singer by profession, used to pass on the information regarding the movement of the joint forces to the ultra Left leaders. He used to give shelter to them,” a senior police officer said.

Meanwhile, the joint forces conducted a search operation in Manikapara and its adjacent areas following incidence of Maoists menaces in Jhargarm in past few days.

Ultra Left rebels are active in three western districts of the state - West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia.