In a major success, police rounded up two Naxals who had allegedly participated in blowing up of anti-landmine vehicle in insurgency-hit Datewada district on April 13, which had claimed lives of five police personnel.The held ultras were identified as Deva Kunjam (28) and Somdu Mandavi (22) both native of Dantewada.
ASI Dantewada Rajesh Kumar informed that both of them were arrested on specific intelligence input from the district. The blast had occurred on Cholnar-Kirandul Road under Kirandul Police Station limits. Somdu Mandavi, according to ASI had joined the banned outfit Communist Party of India (Maoist) as Sangham member.
He used to provide logistic support to Maoist local Operating Squads (lOS). Mandavi also provided inputs to Naxals about police movement and called public meeting on directions of Naxal leaders. “On April 13 when the incident happened, he was present at the spot with Naxal assault teams,” the ASP said.
Another held ultra Deva Kunjam was Naxal Militia Platoon Commander and was inducted in Maoists organization in 2004. Kunjam used to alert Naxals about police movement and also arranged food and lodging for Naxal groups, the ASI said, adding a muzzle gun was seized from his possession. According to ASI, the duo told police that due to quick reinforcement reaching at the spot after the blast, they were not able to cause much damage to the police party in the vehicle.