Trainer of Maoist squad held

Acting on a specific tip-off,the police raided Kisku’s house at Bakdoba in Belpahari block in West Midnapore.

According to the police,Kisku also allegedly played an active role in the murder of Trinamool leader Nishikanta Mondal in Nandigram.

The Director General of Police,Bhupindar Singh,said that the carbine,which was stolen from Ravi Kar’s security guards,was found near the spot where Nishikanta Mondal was killed.

“From this evidence,it can be said that Kisku had a connection with the murder of Nishikanto Mondal. We are looking into the matter,” Singh added.

The police also seized a pipegun from Kisku’s residence.

On December 31,2004,Sunil Kisku and his squad members attacked the residence of Kar in Purulia and set his house on fire. Kar and his wife were shot dead.

“We have arrested him under the Arms Act,conspiracy to murder and sedition,” said Manoj Verma,the Superintendent of Police (West Midnapore).

Later in the day,Kisku was produced in the ACJM court in Jhargram,where he was remanded in police custody for five days.

Sukhshanti Baskey,the treasurer of the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities was also produced in the court.

The magistrate has ordered the investigating officer in Baskey’s case to be present in the court on November 18,after several discrepancies surfaced in the seizure list that was presented before the court as evidence.

PCAPA supporters have launched fresh agitation in the Jungle Mahal area that includes parts of three districts — West Midnapore,Bankura and Purulia. Demanding withdrawal of joint security forces,activists of the PCAPA have started digging roads in several places,including Lalgarh,Katapahari and Salboni.

Asit Mahato,convener of the PCAPA said the blockade will continue in the Jungle Mahal until the joint forces are withdrawn from the area.