Naxal commander nabbed in Nagpur

Dreaded Naxal commander Murali alias Mahesh alias Rajesh was arrested by Nagpur police, in a closely-guarded operation, along with three others as they were entering the Deekshabhoomi premises here on Tuesday.

While the police refused to divulge the details of the operation, Commissioner of Police S P S Yadav told The Indian Express that he will address a press conference tomorrow. 8220;I don8217;t want to say anything today,8221; he said. Murali, in his late forties, is the Divisional Committee Secretary of the North Gadchiroli-Gondia Committee, a wing of the Maharashtra State Committee of CPI Maoist and ranks very high in the Naxal hierarchy. His real name is said to be Satya Reddy.

Murali is wanted for murder, arson and many other offences. He has been active in Gondia district of eastern Maharashtra bordering Gadchiroli and in the adjoining areas of Chhattisgarh. He was also the mastermind behind last year8217;s Bhavartola landmine blast in Gondia in which seven cops were killed. 8220;We suspect him to be behind the post-Khairlanji propaganda of the CPI Maoists. Many newspapers had received letters saying the Maoists were proud to be associated with post-Khairlanji Dalit protests,8221; said a senior official. 8220;He frequently travelled to Raipur, Nagpur and Mumbai,8221; he added.