Top Maoist leader Sudarshan held

Wanted in connection with several cases, including killing of former Home Minister A. Madhava Reddy, the senior Maoist leader carried a reward of Rs. 20 lakh on his head

Sudarshan

The district police caught a top ranking Maoist leader on Saturday night after a day-long search.

Senior Maoist leader, Sudarshan alias Srinivas, had escaped from the police dragnet during a vehicle-checking operation at Wyra on Friday night.

According to sources, Sudarshan, a member of Andhra Orissa Border (AOB) special zonal committee, was apprehended by the police from an undisclosed location near Wyra on Saturday night.

He was wanted in connection with several cases, including the Balimela incident, and killing of former Home Minister A. Madhava Reddy in a landmine blast.

Exchanged for Malkangiri Collector

He was released from jail in Orissa in exchange for the release of the then Malkangiri Collector, R. Vineel Krishna, who was abducted and later let off by the Maoists in Orissa in 2011.

Sudarshan, 55, a native of Nalgonda district, was wanted in connection with several grave offences committed both in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, said Superintendent of Police A.V. Ranganath.

Confirming the arrest of Sudarshan, he said the rebel leader carried a reward of Rs.20 lakh on his head.