Four naxal held for triggering blast during bypolls

RAIPUR: Four naxals who were allegedly involved in triggering IED blast during the Assembly bypoll for Antagarh seat held recently, were arrested in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district today, police said.

The cadres were apprehended along with three SBML (single barrel muzzle loading) guns by a joint squad of district force and BSF (Border Security Force) from restive Tadhur forest under Bande police station limits, said Kanker Superintendent of Police RN Dash.

Those arrested were identified as Somji Mandavi (30), Alsuram Khorcha (28), Raigi Sodo (32) and Sainuram Mandavi (40), all active members of the outlawed movement in north Bastar region, he added.

"They were involved in improvised explosive blast at Chhotebethiya road during the assembly by-election in Antagarh constituency held in September this year.

However, no any harm was caused to polling personnel or security forces in the attack, Dash said.

A joint team of security personnel was conducting a special anti-naxal operation named 'Octopus' in Bande region, located around 250 kms from the state capital since this morning, he said.

During the cordoning off Tandhur forests, police spotted four suspects hiding in the forests to keep an eye on the movement of security forces, following which they were nabbed, the SP said, adding, firearms were also recovered from their possession. The rebels were being interrogated, he added.