8 more Maoists caught over Chhattisgarh blast that killed 10 policemen

PTI, May 20, 2023, 1:00 PM IST

Dantewada: Eight Maoists, including a boy, have been caught in connection with last month’s Aranpur blast in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district wherein 10 police personnel and a civilian lost their lives, police said today.

With this development, the total number of Maoists held in the case increased to 17, they said.

Of these eight Maoists, five were arrested on Wednesday (May 17), while three others, including the minor boy, were held on Friday during search operations by security personnel in Aranpur police station area and adjoining locality, a senior police official said.

Police gave information about it on Friday evening.

Masa Kawasi, Kosa Mandavi, Arjun Kunjam, Deva Madvi and Ganga Madvi, all natives of Pedka village, were produced in a local court after their arrest on Wednesday, which sent them to police remand for three days, he added.

After the expiry of their police remand, the five Maoists were produced in the court along with two others Bandi Madvi and Muya Kovasi following their arrest on Friday, the officer said, adding that all seven were remanded to judicial custody.

The minor was sent to a juvenile home, he added.

Ten District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel and a driver were killed after Maoists blew up an multi-utility vehicle (MUV), which was part of a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on April 26.

Earlier, nine Maoists, including three minors, were apprehended in connection with the attack and their interrogation helped police for further arrests, he added.