Journalist with Maoist Links Taken into Custody

A 37-year-old man has been taken into custody by Surat police for his alleged involvement in Maoist movement in the city and various tribal zones of south Gujarat, said media reports.

A day after his arrest, Niranjan Mahapatra was presented before a local court on Wednesday, said report.

He was sent him to police remand for 10 days, report said.

“We are keeping a close watch in the region. We are investigating to find out his (Mahapatra’s) associates,” Surat Range IG A K Singh said was quoted as saying.

Mahapatra, who was once a freelance journalist, was arrested by the Special Operations Group (SOG) after receiving a tip-off, reports said.

Police claimed that it recovered many incriminating documents and books in Oriya pertaining to Maoist movements from his rented accommodation at Jagannath Nagar, said reports, adding that they, however, declined to reveal more details.

Neighbours said that Mahapatra would rarely talk with them and many times his house was locked for 15-20 days, said reports.

Police said that Mahapatra earlier worked as a freelance journalist in Oriya newspapers and is believed to be associated with workers’ unions, reports said.

(Based on internet reports)