Maoist leader arrested in Orissa’s Rayagada District

RAYAGADA - The Paramilitary Forces and Orissa Police in a joint combing operation nabbed a Maoist leader in the Muniguda-Telengapada forest in Orissa’s Rayagada District and seized a huge cache of arms from him.

Thirty-five-year-old Laba Kimbaka, a resident of Kanahari village was arrested on Wednesday. He is suspected to be involved in various attacks.

“Two crude bombs, two detonators and some landmines, documents, literature, hand-written posters and letters were seized from him,” said Anup Krishna, Superintendent of Police.

The police claimed that Kimbaka had planned to use the seized explosives against the paramilitary forces deployed in large numbers in the state.

The arrested Maoist allegedly runs camps inside the forested in Maoist-infested districts and imparts training to new cadres and local tribals.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has described the Maoists as anti-poor and anti-development.

He said the Maoists have targeted all instruments of development.

“The Naxalites are anti-development and have targeted the very instruments of development - school buildings, roads, telephone towers etc. They know that development will mean the masses, especially poor tribals, wean them away from the grip of Naxalites,” Chidambaram said. In 2009 alone, they have demolished 71 school buildings, 23 Panchayat Bhawans, two power plants, attacked 67 telephone exchanges or mobile towers were attacked, and demolished, 46 attacks on railway properties, 17 attacks on specific industrial establishments,” he added.

Defence Minister A K Antony on Friday said the South Asian region is emerging as the ‘focal point’ for all terrorist organisations.

Antony said the Central Government would take a final call on the use of armed forces against the Maoists after considering all aspects.

“Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has decided that the Home Ministry would be the nodal point on the Naxal problem,” said Antony.

The Maoist rebels have ignored calls from the Government to renounce violence and negotiate. Instead, they have stepped up their attacks in recent months, prompting the government to go after them in a concerted way. (ANI)