The Kashinagar police have arrested five persons for allegedly trying to collect extortion money from villagers by impersonating as Maoists in Purutiguda village in Gajapati district.
On May 15, the fake Maoists had threatened Purutiguda villagers of dire consequences if they didn’t give money to them. The villagers opposed them and nabbed two of them. later, they handed over the culprits to the Kasinagar police. They were identified as Y Simanchal and M Trinath of Andhra Pradesh.
After interrogating them, the police arrested another accused, Mukunda of Parida village in Gajapati district on May 19 and two others B Ravikumar and B Ramuku were arrested from Andhra Pradesh on May 21.
“We have initiated a manhunt to nab other culprits, who are still on run,” said the IIC.