PATNA: Seven Maoists including dreaded Ganesh Sao, the commander of Sone-Punpun Area Committee of CPI (Maoist) were arrested today from different places in Arwal district of Bihar.
Sao was wanted in several cases in Patna, Jehanabad and Aurangabad districts, police said adding one carbine, three pistols, several rounds of ammunition, cell phones, SIM cards and Maoist literature were seized from him and his associates.
"Sao was trying to strengthen a new group that was rising in Arwal and Jehanabad districts. Two days ago it had attacked the camp of a road construction company in Arwal and burnt its heavy vehicles and equipment after their levy demands were not met," Inspector General (Operations) Sushil M Khopde said.
Arwal and Jehanabad districts have been relatively free of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the recent past, but the Maoists had started paying more attention on these districts to strengthen their foothold, he said.
Sao is a resident of Imamganj area in Gaya district and was continuously in touch with the youths in Arwal and Jehanabad, police said.
The IG (Operations) also said that the group was indulging in arson and violent incidents for extortion of money.