Maoist leader wanted for killing 50 people held in Andhra Pradesh

HYDERABAD: A senior Maoist leader, carrying a reward of Rs 20 lakh on his head and wanted in connection with killing of around 50 people in three states, has been arrested by Andhra Pradesh Police.

Y Shiva Reddy alias Kiran, who was involved in as many as 73 offences including killing of around 50 people - among them being a police inspector and two Home Guards - in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh was arrested yesterday, East Godavari district Superintendent of Police M Ravi Prakash told PTI over phone.

"He was underground since 1991 and rose from the rank of dalam member to CPI (Maoist) state committee member," the SP said.

The Maoist is an expert in carrying out guerrilla ambushes, he said.

"Shiva Reddy was arrested from a location in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. A pistol was seized from his possession," the police officer added.