Dreaded Maoist gets 10 years in jail in Odisha

A court in Odisha Tuesday sentenced a dreaded Maoist to 10 years in prison after finding him guilty of illegally possessing firearms and attacking policemen in 2011.

Additional District and Sessions judge P.K. Mahanta awarded the sentence to Chenda Bhusanam alias Ghasi alias Katru at the district headquarters town of Koraput, about 500 km from state capital Bhubaneswar.

"We hope the conviction will act as a deterrent to those indulging in Maoist violence," Inspector General of Police (southwestern range) Yashwant Jethwa told IANS.

"We will pursue cases of all important Maoist leaders to obtain convictions. We have also taken up review of petty cases against tribals and residents who are in custody and undertrial prisoners for long," he said.

Ghasi, a native of Andhra Pradesh, was a commander of the "Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee" of the outlawed CPI-Maoist. He is currently lodged in Koraput jail.

He was arrested by Odisha Police in April 2011 in Semiliguda in Koraput district.

He faces charges of killing more than 55 security personnel between 1990-1996, and was carrying a cash reward of Rs.10 lakh on his head.