Hardcore Maoist leader arrested in Koraput

A hardcore Maoist leader involved in the 2009 attack on Narayanpatna police station was today arrested by BSF jawans from Odisha's Koraput district, a senior official said.
"The arrested Naxal leader was in our wanted list since long for his involvement in at least 10 Maoist offensives, including three murders, in the area," SP (Koraput) Awinash Kumar said.
The rebel who was arrested from a forested area on the outskirts of Dumshil village under Narayanpatna police limits was identified as Kastu Tadingi, police said.
Kastu, who leads the Narayanpatna unit of the Srikakulam-Koraput joint divisional committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), has confessed to his involvement in the murder of three tribals, Nityananda Meleka, Ghasi Kendruka and Jagabandhu Tadingi, for being police informers, they said.

"The arrested rebel was an expert in making IED, planting landmines, ambush and was trained in using weapons. He was a close associate of Maosit leader Daya and also involved in attack on the Narayanpatna police station in 2009," the SP said.