Laptop suspected to have been used by Kishenji recovered

A laptop, printer and scanner suspected to have been used by senior Maoist leader Koteshwara Rao alias Kishenji, who was killed in an encounter with the security forces in November, were seized on Tuesday by the Central Reserve Police Force jawans in Kushboni forest of West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district, a few kilometres from the spot where he was shot dead.

Landmines, detonators and explosives were also recovered from the site, in what the security forces consider a major haul even as they pointed out that more such items might be concealed in other parts of the forest.

“More than 300 rounds of live ammunition, a large stock of medicines, Maoist literature, a diary and fatigues were also seized,” a senior police official told The Hindu.

According to the security forces, letters written by Akash and Bikash, senior Maoist leaders active in the region, were also found.

The seizures come less than a fortnight after the surrender of Suchitra Mahato, a local Maoist leader and close associate of Kishenji who had turned up at the State Secretariat and announced her decision to give up Left-Wing Extremist activity with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee standing by her side. Experts are trying to access the laptop which, it is believed, could shed light on the movement and possible whereabouts of Kishenji's other associates who are on the run.