Naxal leaders arrested in West Bengal, weapons recovered

This came after the duo, identified as Kalpana Ghoroi and Panchanan Mahato, were arrested from a secret hideout on Friday. Two pistols were also recovered from the accused.

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Two top Naxal commanders, including a woman, were today sent to a 9-day police custody by a local court in Purulia district of West Bengal.

This came after the duo, identified as Kalpana Ghoroi and Panchanan Mahato, were arrested from a secret hideout on Friday. Two pistols were also recovered from the accused.

DUO ARRESTED

According to the police, Kalpana (27), is a resident of Sonachura village in Nandigram and is a prominent member of the recently revived Ayodhya women squad. She also played an active role in the Nandigram land movement and also joined the Maoists group later in Lalgarh.

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Panchanan, on the other hand, is resident of Arsha village and was reportedly missing since 2005. He is also a prominent member of the Dalma squad of the Naxalites.

The duo was arrested near the Hanumata bridge under Balrampur police station.

Police say the arrests were the successful outcome of an inter-state meeting between Purulia and Jharkhand border police to combat extremists in the region.

ANOTHER INCIDENT

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, at least five people were arrested and crude bombs recovered by security forces in Burdwans Ketugram village.

According to the police, bombs were hurled on Friday night by two warring Trinamool Congress factions, over an alleged turf war. Two people were injured in the incident.

In a raid, Ketugram police arrested five people and also seized ten crude bombs from a local field. Police have launched a probe into the case.