The district police here on Thursday arrested nine fake Maoists, who were threatening and demanding money on the pretext of being leftwing ultras from businessmen in villages.
Police nabbed them while cracking two different cases lodged at the Rayagada and Chandili police stations.
In the first case, police nabbed five persons, l Yedagala Jambu, Aguru Shankar, Bhima Naik, Hasish Chandra Himirika and Ganesh Huika, who were involved in the kidnapping of Niladri Samantarai, father of contractor and local BJD leader Raghunath Samantray of Malipada village in Nathama in the district on May 12.
Police seized three guns, three knives and Maruti car from their possession.
District SP K Siva Subramani told reporters that the seven accused persons along with their two other associates, who were absconding, had kidnapped Samantray and demanded a ransom of Rs 5 crore for his release. They identified themselves as Maoists.
Acting on another plaint filed by one Baiakrishna Padhi, Gadiseskhal Sevashram Headmaster, police arrested four persons, Rabi Batria, Sobha Kaipa, Pabitra Bacheli and Bharat Bacheli for demanding Rs 2 lakh from him in the name of Maoists.
“The complainant alleged that some unknown caller identified himself as Maoist leader and demanded Rs 2 lakh and threatened him of dire consequences if he fails to do so. During investigation we found that the four arrested persons had phoned the Headmaster identified themselves as Maoists and demanded money,” said the SP.
The SP appealed to the denizens to report such matters to the police.