The Maoist leader went by multiple names such as Mahender, Ramesh and Mahesh. (Representational)
A top Maoist leader has been arrested in Odisha's Koraput district during a search operation by security forces, and cash and arms were seized from his possession, the police said on Tuesday.
The Odisha government had announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any information leading to his arrest.
Dubashi Sankar, a leader of the state military commission (SMC) of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), was apprehended on Monday morning from a forest area adjoining Noaro village by jawans of the district voluntary force, special operations group and the BSF, DGP Abhay said.
"This is the first time a Maoist leader of such high rank has been arrested in Odisha," the DGP stated.
One Insas Rifle, 10 rounds of ammunition, a mobile phone, radio and cash of Rs 35,500 were recovered from his possession among other items.
The Maoist leader went by multiple names such as Mahender, Ramesh and Mahesh.
Amitabh Thakur, Inspector General (operations), when contacted by PTI, said the Maoist leader, during interrogation, admitted that he was involved in multiple criminal cases, including a landmine blast in Koraput in 2010 that claimed lives of 11 police personnel.
Dubashi Sankar had joined the Maoist organisation in 1987. He was promoted to the rank of special zonal committee member (SZCM) in 2003. He looked after the outfit's operations along the Andhra-Odisha border, Mr Thakur said.
He joined the state military commission of the CPI (Maoist) in 2010, Mr Thakur added.
In a related development, a Maoist cadre surrendered before the police in Koraput district on Tuesday.
He will get assistance in accordance with the Surrender and Rehabilitation Scheme of the Odisha government.
Sonal Madvi alias Kiran, an area committee member of the CPI(Maoist), claimed that he was not in favour of the "unnecessary civilian killings" by the outfit, a police officer in Koraput said.
Sonal Madvi also stated that Odiya cadres of the banned organisation are "looked down upon by their Telugu and Chhattishgarhi counterparts", the officer added.
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