Maoist arrested in Pakur

A wanted Maoist, who carried a reward of Rs one lakh on his head, was arrested following an encounter with the police in Jharkhand's Pakur district, police said Saturday.

A police team led by superintendent of police Shailendra Prasad Burnwal had gone to Babban Pokhar village under Maheshpur police station in the district on Friday following a tip-off.

The Maoist Sunil Murmu had fired at the police team, who retaliated and cornered and arrested him. Murmu had demanded "levy" of Rs 80 lakh from a contractor setting up a school for tribals in the area and was also involved in an encounter at Dumarghati village under the same police station with a team of the force headed by Burnwal six months ago.

The Maoist had fled but his accomplice had been killed in the encounter then, Burnwal said. Several cases including murder, loot was registered against him, the SP added.