The Gujarat Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) said on Wednesday that it has arrested a Naxal, who was 'wanted' since several years for his involvement in a bomb blast case in Jharkhand and other criminal activities. The alleged Naxal, carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, was living in Ahmedabad for the last five years.
The ATS said in a release that Sitaram Manjhi, 45, a native of Dhanbad in Jharkhand, was detained from Ranodara village of Ahmedabad's Daskroi taluka following a tip-off about his involvement in various Naxal activities in Jharkhand in the past.
According to the ATS, Manjhi admitted during questioning that he had joined Krantikari Kisan Committee, a Naxal outfit in Jharkhand in 2004. Manjhi allegedly told the cops that he and his associates were arrested for their involvement in loot of two SLR rifles and cartridges during an attack on Angarpathra railway police station in 2009.
"At the time of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Manjhi and his associates had triggered a landmine explosion and blown up a police jeep. A case was registered against them in Rajganj police station, and Manjhi was wanted since then," ATS said.
According to the release, he is also wanted in a cheating case related to construction of a school in his native village.
It said that Manjhi had worked for four years in Kantilal Sheth steel factory in Odhav, and was working in the steel plant of Mercury India in Ranodara village for one year. ATS added that Manjhi would be handed over to Jharkhand police for further investigations.
Sitaram Manjhi, 45, a native of Dhanbad, had joined Krantikari Kisan Committee, a naxal outfit in Jharkhand in 2004. He had triggered a landmine explosion during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections