Maoist travelling in Trinamool leader’s vehicle held in Bengal

KOLKATA - A Maoist leader was arrested in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district Tuesday while he was travelling in a vehicle along with a local Trinamool Congress leader, police said.

“Acting on a tip-off, the joint forces intercepted the vehicle of Trinamool Salboni Block President Nepal Singh at Patharkumkumi near Salboni police station and arrested Kanchan Deb Singh - a hardcore Maoist squad member,” West Midnapore Police Superintendent Manoj Verma said.

“Singh, a leader of Madhupur area near Salboni, was accused in several cases, including murders, arson and other anti-social activities,” said Verma.

The district police chief said the Maoist was wanted in at least 15 to 20 cases, including three murder cases, and he was also responsible for the destruction of the Kalaimuri camp of the joint forces last year.

“Singh, a resident of Madhupur was wanted for long by the police. His brother Hemant Deb Singh, a hardcore Maoist squad member, was killed in an encounter (gunfight) by the joint forces last year,” Verma added.

However, the district Trinamool Congress rejected the allegation and claimed that Kanchan was falsely implicated by the police.

“Kanchan is not a Maoist. Earlier, he was arrested by the Assam police in Guwahati and he came back after being released on bail. Nepal Singh Tuesday morning took him to a party meeting at Madhupur and when they were returning he was arrested by the police,” Trinamool Congress District President Pranab Basu said.