Orissa Maoist involved in two murders held

BHUBANESWAR - A Maoist leader was arrested Saturday in Orissa’s Rayagada district for his alleged role in at least seven crimes, including two murders, police said.

Fortytwo-year-old Arila Kumbaka was arrested from Chandrapur area of the district, Superintendent of Police Anoop Krishna told IANS.

“He was a Naxal militia commander of the Bansdhara division of the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist,” he said.

Kumbaka was also involved in several crimes in Rayagada and neighbouring Gajapati and Kandhamal districts.

On Aug 9, 2009, he was involved in the murder of two civilians - Sibasankar Sabar and Bibhisan Bebhor - in Chandrapur area of Rayagada district, some 390 km from state capital Bhubaneswar.

He has also played a role in rebel attacks on police posts, mobile phone towers and traders in the region, Krishna said.