Wanted Maoist held

Foren Singh Sardar,one of the most wanted Maoist leaders who has been accused of killing a police officer and a CPM leader in West Midnapore district,was arrested on Friday morning. He was later produced at Jhargram court. “Sardar was arrested from Berati crossing at Bankura-Jhargram border. We have seized an one-shotter and three rounds of ammunition from him along with some Maoists posters. He is an important catch for us and we have got him in police remand,” said Jhargram Superintendent of Police Praveen Tripathi.

The forty-year-old is a close associate of Madan Mahato,the area commander of the in Belpahari. “Sardar was wanted in connection with murder of Bandwan police station officer-in-charge Nilmadhab Das in November 2003 and CPM leader Rabindranath Kar and his wife Anandomoyee Kar in January 2006,” he said. At least 21 cases are registered against him,including nine murders,said police.

Security forces,meanwhile,picked up three Maoist squad members and two members of the PCAPA in Junglemahal. The Maoist squad members — Basanta Majhi of Bersa village in Belpahari,Gurupada Pahari and Ramu Majhi of Balarampur — were caught during a combing operation in the area. Ramu Majhi was involved in the murder of three Forward Bloc members,including Dasarath Majhi,the ration dealer in Purulia on October 4,said police.