Paschim Medinipur, 20 September (H.S.): Police apprehended two alleged Maoists in Sarberia village under Salboni police station in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district on Saturday afternoon, in a significant development concerning the Maoist network active in the region.

The two have been identified as Maoist couple Patit Mahato alias Pappu, Mangal, Sameer and Pandey, and his wife Malina Murmu alias Malti and Mala. However, it was not immediately clear whether the duo had been formally arrested or had surrendered. No official statement was issued by the police in this regard till late Saturday night.

According to sources, following the recent arrest of a Maoist identified as Akash, Mangal and Malti allegedly left their weapons in the forest and took shelter at the residence of a relative of one of their arrested associates. Acting on information, police subsequently conducted an operation in Sarberia village and took the couple into custody.

Police sources said Patit Mahato alias Mangal, a resident of Ranjha village under Salboni police station, is allegedly a member of the sub-zonal committee of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). He was reportedly known within the organisation as a cadre involved in armed activities. Jharkhand Police had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for his arrest.

Malina Murmu alias Malti, originally from Patharnasa village in the Belpahari area of Jhargram district, is reportedly a member of the Maoist area committee. Jharkhand Police had announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for information leading to her arrest.

Sources said that during their alleged armed activities in the forests, Mangal was known to carry an AK-47 rifle, while Malti reportedly carried an INSAS rifle.

The reported apprehension of the couple is being viewed as a significant development for the police forces of West Bengal and Jharkhand. However, authorities have not yet released detailed official information regarding the operation or the status of the two alleged Maoists.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey