Maoist ideologue arrested near Rithala Metro station

A suspected People's War Group (PWG) leader was arrested near Rithala Metro station on Wednesday, police said.

A suspected People's War Group (PWG) leader was arrested near Rithala Metro station on Wednesday, police said.

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Pradeep Kumar Singh, 42, has been a Maoist ideologue and was involved in recruiting young boys in the PWG, is wanted in Jharkhand for the murder of Superintendent of Police, Lohardaga, Ajay Kumar Singh.

"Singh, a native of Latehar in Jharkhand, went into hiding in a nearby township after security forces intensified action in Jharkhand. Our team laid a trap, following a tip-off about his hiding place in Rohini area,” said Sanjay Kumar Jain, DCP (crime). A sophisticated pistol and two live cartridges were recovered from his possession, Jain added.

Singh's elder son Rakesh Kumar Singh is a PWG area commander and is considered as the most wanted Maoist in Latehar. Rakesh has several cases of kidnapping for murder and for ransom cases against him.

Singh joined the PWG in 1990 and was also a part of 'Jharkhand Mazdoor Kisan Sangrami Parishad'. After the murder of the SP, his group split into several parts to evade arrest.

Singh fled to Punjab and worked there as a security guard for almost five years to hide himself. In late 2005, he returned to Jharkhand and allegedly revived his connection with Maoists and joined the organisation.

His job was to preach Maoist ideology to youth and motivate them to join his organisation.

During interrogation, Singh told the police that he was part of the ambush party, led by Guddu Oran, which attacked the police patrol party led by the then SP Ajay Kumar Singh.