Maoist and close aide arrested in West Bengal

KOLKATA - A Maoist and his close aide were Thursday arrested from West Bengal’s Bankura district, police said.

“Roben Tudu, a member of Ranibandh squad (of Maoists), and his close aide Chitta Ranjan Murmu were arrested from 12-Mile forest in the district. Explosives were also recovered from them,” Bankura police superintendent Pranav Kumar told IANS over phone.

“Acting on a tip-off, we conducted a raid in the forest and arrested the two. They will be presented before the local court in the afternoon,” he added.

Kumar said Tudu was wanted in several murder cases, including one of Khagen Mahato, a civil contractor, July 29.

Maoists are active in three western districts in the state - West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia.