Wanted Maoist arrested from Jhargram

A Maoist ultra, wanted in several murder cases, was arrested in West Midnapore district this morning, police said.

“Maoist ultra Khokon Mahto was arrested from Gritakham area under Jhargram police station area this morning,”Jhargram SDPO Rashid Munir Khan said.

A squad member of the Maoists, Khokon was wanted in several murder cases, including that of three persons on August 27 last year when Umakanta Mahato was killed in an encounter with the joint forces.

Umakanta Mahto was a prime suspect in the Jnaneswari train sabotage case and a leader of the Maoist backed People’s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA).

“Acting on a tip off, we conducted a search operation in the area in the morning and arrested him,” Khan said, adding, search operation was continuing but no arms have been recovered so far.

“We arrested one Dulal Mandi from Lodhasuli area in Jhargram and after interrogating him we came to know about the details of Khokon and his associates,” police said.

Meanwhile, two PCPA activists were also arrested along with Khokon but for no Maoist connection.

Nakul Mahto and Shyamal Roy alias Jumbo were arrested on the charge of domestic violence, Mr. Khan said.