Jharkhand Maoist arrested in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW - A Maoist from Jharkhand, wanted in connection with attacks on security personnel, was arrested following a brief shootout in Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar, police said Saturday.

Ramesh Lohra alias Rupesh Gurwa, 32, was nabbed late Friday on the outskirts of Ambedkar Nagar in Alapur area.

A pistol, a rifle and several live cartridges have been recovered from Lohra’s possession, police inspector Jai Shankar Singh told reporters in Ambedkar Nagar, some 200 km from Lucknow.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that to avoid arrest in Jharkhand, Ramesh moved to Ambedkar Nagar a few weeks ago,” he said.

“We have informed the Jharkhand Police about Ramesh’s arrest. According to them, he (Ramesh) was wanted in connection with attacks on security personnel and blowing up of police outposts,” Singh added.

According to police, around 25 criminal cases are pending against Lohra, who worked for Kundan Pahan, a zonal commander of Maoists in Jharkhand.