The three had been arrested for buying a tractor meant for Maoist chief Ajay Alami,
Dantewada:
Bharatiya Janata Party’s district unit vice-president Jagat Pujari and one different individual had been arrested for allegedly supplying tractors to Maoists in Chhattishgarh. According to the police, Pujari has been concerned in facilitating provide of products and different objects to Maoists for no less than a decade.
The three had been arrested for buying a tractor meant for Maoist chief Ajay Alami, who carries a reward of Rs. 5 lakh on his arrest. The new tractor, value Rs. 9,10,000 has been seized.
“For past few months we have been intercepting calls of many Maoist leaders, including Alami, and Pujari’s cell number had come up several times for supply of materials. Recently, Alami told Pujari that they needed a tractor, which the latter must buy because he has earned a lot. While Pujari agreed to foot the bill, he said they would need someone whose documents could be used for the purchase. So, they roped in Ramesh Usendi whose wife is from Alami’s village,” Dantewada superintendent of police Abhishek Pallav mentioned.
Based on this enter, the police arrange barricades at two locations close to Geedam and stopped all new tractors. Ramesh, who’s among the many three arrested, was behind the wheel when he was flagged apart and questioned.
On being stopped, Usendi couldn’t clarify the supply of cash and why he did not have papers, the police mentioned. Usendi mentioned he was transporting the tractor on the behest of Jagat, whom we picked up, the SP mentioned.
“During questioning, Jagat confessed that he has been supplying goods to Maoists for 10 years,” Mr Pallav mentioned.
He added that arrests had been made after months of gathering intelligence. The police had earlier acquired info that Pujari was additionally concerned in supplying massive consignments of uniforms, sneakers, paper, printers, cartridges, batteries and radio units to Maoists, however had no proof.
“We found out that Jagat Pujari meets Maoists and actively sends materials through villagers to interiors of Handawada. During interrogation, we came to know about their plan to supply other materials by roping in more people. It is a matter of investigation and more arrests are likely in future,” Mr Pallav mentioned.
