Three suspect Maoists arrested in Arunachal's Lohit District

Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), July 26 (ANI): Three Maoists have been arrested in Kaupatani village under the Mahadevpur police station of Lekang Circle in Arunachal Pradesh's Lohit District, confirming Union Home Minister P Chidamabaram's recent concern and apprehension about Maoists entering this peaceful state.

A joint operation by 12 Assam Rifles, an SIT team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepankar Mishra and a local police team led by the officer-in-charge of the Mahadevpur police station, Assistant Sub-Inspector Ajay Kumar, arrested the trio around 6 p.m. yesterday, and seized demand notes and three mobile cess with seven sim cards from their possession.

The Maoists have been identified as Nipenjyoti Chetia, 30, of No.1 Haru Dirak village, Totong Neog, 18, of Barmigai village, both falling under the jurisdiction of the Kokapathat Police Station in Assam's Tinsukia District, and Jintu Chetai of Assam village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Dhola Police Station in the same district.

This is the second arrest of Maoists and follows the previous arrest of four Maoist cadres after from Mahadevepur on August 17, 2011.

Mihsra informed the Arunachal Front over telephone that Bitu Chakma, a member of United Democratic Front of Bodoland (UDFB) was arrested from Namsai in same district Wednesday and added that an operation against UG elements was still on.

In a brief press address, Chidamambaram had told media recently that: "There was minimal presence of CP(M) Maoists in the entire north-eastern region," adding that "respective state governments have been building up pressure against the Maoists, and action in Assam a few days ago, was its proof".

Pointing out that "Arunachal is a peaceful state inhabited by very patriotic people, which of late witnessing speedy development," Chidambaram exhorted Arunchalees to identify every cadre and leaders of the CP(M) Maoists.

"I'm confident that the peace-loving Arunchalees would reject the Maoists to prevent them from having a foothold in this peaceful state," he said, without mincing any words. By Pradeep Kumar (ANI)