A hardcore Maoist was arrested by a joint team of the BSF and the Odisha police when the team was busy in search operations in the Sudhakonda area of Malkangiri district on Tuesday.
The Maoist was identified as Mahesh, alias Singa Kattami, (25) of Tagoorkota village under the Motu police station. He was a cadre of the Podia lOS (local operating squad) and was engaged in the protection of CPI(Maoist)’s Malkangiri division secretary Uday.
Kattami was carrying a cash reward of `1 lakh on his head, said police sources.