Jharkhand Police arrest Maoist, seize huge quantity of explosives

KHUNTI - Jharkhand Police nabbed a Maoist here on Saturday and seized huge quantity of explosives from him.

Superintendent of Police in Khunti, Manoj Kaushik said: “We have arrested one Maoist. We have also recovered 105 detonators along with huge IED weighing 50 kg, which has been defused by the experts on the spot only. We have also seized around 30 kg of ammonium nitrate along with some other materials used in the making of explosives.”

He further said that the Maoists had planned to deter the first round of village council polls in the district.

The Maoists have threatened locals to boycott the ongoing Panchayat election but the security has been beefed up by the officials.

Armed security personnel were seen patrolling the streets and markets.

Three helicopters are stationed with construction of 41 temporary helipads to meet any eventuality.

Meanwhile the first of panchayat elections in the state recorded 68 per cent polling yesterday.

In the second phase, polling will be held on December 6 for 11,292 village councils in 71 blocks.

Counting of votes for the first and second phases would be taken up on December 9. (ANI)