Maoist mastermind behind Saraswati's killing arrested By: Rahul Benjamin Wednesday, 22 April 2009, 14:49 (IST)
In a major breakthrough in the sensational murder case of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati, the Orissa police claimed to have arrested the Maoist leader who planned the assassination last year.
According to sources, Udaya, alias P. Rama Rao, the commander of the Maoists in Kandhamal, Rayagada and Gajapati districts, was arrested during a raid on their Gudari forest hideout on Tuesday. Three of Udaya's associates also have been arrested, district police chief Ashish Kumar Singh said.
The police have identified Udaya as the chief behind the murder of 84-year-old VHP leader that sparked large scale violence on the Christian community.
“Udaya is the third in the rank in the Vansadhra division and a link between (the Maoists’) Andhra committee and the Orissa unit,” Singh said.
Udaya was involved in over 20 cases of murder, rioting and looting of government armouries. He has been with the rebels for 18 years.
After the murder of Saraswati on August 23, 2008, police arrested four people for their alleged involvement. The crime branch says at least 18 Maoists were involved in the murder at the Jalespata Ashram.
Despite Christian groups condemning the murder of Swami and sternly denying any involvement in the slaying, Hindutwa forces accused Christians and committed horrendous crimes against the minority community.
The police as well as the government has clarified that Maoists and not Christians were behind the murder of Saraswati.
According to sources, Udaya, alias P. Rama Rao, the commander of the Maoists in Kandhamal, Rayagada and Gajapati districts, was arrested during a raid on their Gudari forest hideout on Tuesday. Three of Udaya's associates also have been arrested, district police chief Ashish Kumar Singh said.
The police have identified Udaya as the chief behind the murder of 84-year-old VHP leader that sparked large scale violence on the Christian community.
“Udaya is the third in the rank in the Vansadhra division and a link between (the Maoists’) Andhra committee and the Orissa unit,” Singh said.
Udaya was involved in over 20 cases of murder, rioting and looting of government armouries. He has been with the rebels for 18 years.
After the murder of Saraswati on August 23, 2008, police arrested four people for their alleged involvement. The crime branch says at least 18 Maoists were involved in the murder at the Jalespata Ashram.
Despite Christian groups condemning the murder of Swami and sternly denying any involvement in the slaying, Hindutwa forces accused Christians and committed horrendous crimes against the minority community.
The police as well as the government has clarified that Maoists and not Christians were behind the murder of Saraswati.
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