CBI should probe my Maoist links, says Jharkhand minister

Jharkhand Agriculture Minister Yogendra Sao Wednesday demanded a CBI probe after five arrested Maoists alleged that he had links with extremists.

"We demand a probe by the CBI or by a retired judge. Police are targeting me as I raised questions against Maoist organisation Tritiya Pratsuti Committee (TPC)," Sao said at a press conference here.

He said the TPC and police have a nexus in Hazaribagh and Chatra districts, and the organisation was collecting levy and police were supporting it.

"I am being implicated by the BJP," Sao alleged.

Police in Hazaribagh Tuesday arrested five Maoists, who later said their organisation was raised with Sao's support.

Sao denied the allegation and said he was ready for a probe.

"I do not have faith in the state police. Any agency like the CBI should probe the allegations," he said.

"I have written at least 10 letters to the chief minister to remove the Hazaribagh superintendent of police. Police are targeting me as I always raise questions against them," he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, the main opposition in Jharkhand, has also demanded a CBI probe into the allegations.