Two hardcore Maoistst arrested

The red rebels, identified as Arjun Meleka and Musuri Wateka of Narayanpatna area, were nabbed by security force personnel during a special operation in the naxal-hit zone, Koraput Superintendent of Police Awinash Kumar said.

Possible involvement of the ultras in the recent abduction of BJD MLA from Laxmipur constituency in the district was also being examined, police said adding "specific information in this regard is likely to emerge during interrogation of the duo."

The ultras, active in the area for quite a long time, were involved in about eight criminal cases including murder, landmine explosion, extortion and attack on attach on security forces in the area, the SP said.

Combing operation and patrolling by security forces had been intensified in the Maoist hotbed as part of an exercise to locate other ultras, police said.