Two Maoist leaders nabbed in Assam

Guwahati, April 26 (IANS) A joint team of Assam Police, CRPF and the intelligence wing of the army Friday arrested two top Maoists from Jorabat area along the Assam-Meghalaya border, an official said.

The two Maoists were identified as Aklanta Rabha and Siraj Rabha.

Assam's Inspector General of Police (Central Western Range) L.R. Bishnoi said Aklanta Rabha alias Maheshji alias Saikia is the lone member of the Maoist's Central Committee from Assam.

While police recovered a .22 pistol made in Spain and six live bullets from Aklanta, 240 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from Siraj, Bishnoi said.

"Siraj Rabha alias Bijay Rabha alias Suraj has been a top ranking arms trainer of the Maoists based in Jharkhand," Bishnoi said.

He added that the two were arrested while they were on their way to Meghalaya to spread the organisation's ideology in some villages.

"Aklanta is a senior cadre of the outfit and he is the overall in-charge of Assam for the organisation," said Bishnoi, while terming the arrest as a big success for Assam Police.

"They have revealed that they have formed a core group in Assam and are gradually spreading the Maoists' ideology in the state and in Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura," Bishnoi said.

The Assam government, which had also formed a Task Force to combat the Maoists, had found that there are 181 Maoist cadres in the state. It includes women cadres.

Bishnoi, who is a member of the Task Force, said the Maoists have carried out five incidents in Assam, including snatching arms from police and forest officials.

He added that Maoist leaders are working in Assam to establish a link with the ULFA and other militant outfits of the northeast region to procure arms and ammunition. Their aim is to start a guerrilla army in Assam.