“We arrested two members of the Jhargram squad of the Maoists. One of them has been identified as Parameshwar Mahato (25). He claimed to be a PLGA (People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army) member. We are, however, yet to ascertain the identity of the other person,” said Manoj Verma, SP, West Midnapore.

At least 20 people were detained at Chandra village in the same district, said Verma. “We suspect at least six of them are active Maoists. One of them had suffered a bullet injury in a gun battle a few months ago,” he added.

During interrogation, Mahato accepted his involvement in several cases, said Verma.

“He is involved in over half a dozen important cases in Jhargram. His involvement was found in setting a cement factory afire at Lodhashuli in Jhargram on December 18, besides him being involved in the murder of three CPM leaders in Jhargram in June,” added Verma. Mahato, a resident of Jhargram, had joined the PLGA a couple of years ago. He was given the responsibility to organise the Jhagram squad, it is learnt.

In another case, two persons were arrested with a huge cache of arms in Purulia late on Monday evening. While patrolling in the Bagmundi area in Purulia, the joint forces found two persons climbing the hills with big bags, said a police officer, adding that the duo tried to flee, but was nabbed by the security forces.

The two persons have been identified as Gobinda Belra, resident of Paharjuri village of Bagmundi and Ramesh Mahato, resident of Arsha village in Bagmundi. The joint forces recovered 100 gelatine sticks, 200 detonators with livewires and 200 detonators without wires from them.