Odisha Police arrest 'Maoist' negotiator

Odisha police on Friday arrested rights activist Dandapani Mohanty who had negotiated the release of an IAS officer and two Italians from Maoist captivity for alleged involvement in rebel activities.

Odisha police on Friday arrested rights activist Dandapani Mohanty who had negotiated the release of an IAS officer and two Italians from Maoist captivity for alleged involvement in rebel activities.

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A court remanded, Mohanty, 63, in judicial custody. "While there were six non-bailable warrants pending against him, we found his involvement in 11 other cases. All the cases are related to Maoist activities," said Gajapati SP CS Meena.

Incidentally, some of the non-bailable warrants were pending when the government sought his help to negotiate with Maoists.

Charges against Mohanty, whose son was arrested last year for allegedly supplying arms to Maoists, include involvement in a murder.

The activist's wife said, "The state government is victimising my husband and son."