Nachika Linga's bodyguard arrested

KORAPUT: Three Maoists, including a bodyguard of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh chief Nachika Linga, were arrested during an anti-extremist operation in Koraput district on Thursday night. They were identified as Sarbu Wadeka, Wadeka Siku and Wadeka Jetu of Podapadar village in Narayanpatna block, police said.
The trio was arrested during a joint combing operation launched by BSF and district police in a forested area, on the outskirts of Podapadar."Sarbu, Linga's bodyguard, was on our wanted list for his involvement in a series of Maoist offensives, including three murders. He was a key member of the Maoist outfit. No arm or explosive was seized from the trio at the time of arrest," said SP (Koraput) Awinash Kumar.
Police said Sarbu (35) had joined the Maoist organization around seven years ago and went on to become a commander of the Srikakulam-Koraput joint division committee of the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee. He was expert in making IEDs and planting landmines. "During interrogation, Sarbu has confessed to his involvement in the killing of BSF jawan Xavier Kindo in a landmine blast and the murder of a local contractor, Jami Prasad Rao," the SP said.
Sarbu was closely associated with Maoist leaders like Daya and Aruna and was instrumental in executing important assignments. Police said Siku and Jetu have confessed to their involvement in five and three Maoist violences respectively in Narayanpatna between 2009 and 2012.