Three Naxals arrested in Bastar

Three Naxals were arrested on Monday during separate search operations in Maoist-hit Bastar region of southern Chhattisgarh.

Two cadres of Jantana Sarkar group of Maoists were nabbed by a joint team of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and district force from the forests of Mandali village under Orchha police station limits of Narayanpur district, Deputy Superintendent of Police N K Sahu said. The Moists were identified as Lakhmu (35) and Butlu (50) and both were involved in several incidents of attacks on security personnel and loot, he said.

"They were produced in a local court which sent them to jail," Sahu added. In a separate search operation, another Naxal Bhanu Ram, carrying a reward of Rs 3,000 on his head, was rounded up from Kanker district of north Bastar, police said.

The 40-year-old was apprehended by a contingent of BSF and local police from the forests of his native place Tumrisur village under Lohattar police station limits this afternoon, Sub-Division Officer of Police (SDOP) Tarkeshwar Patel said.

The patrol party was on a combing operation since this morning in Lohattar region, around 200 km from the state capital Raipur. On getting a tip off about the presence of a Maoist in Tumrisur, the team nabbed Bhanu on suspicion. Later, he admitted his involvement in the Naxal movement and taking part in several crimes like loot and attack in the region, the SDOP added.