Naxal chief caught in Kundapur

IGP Western Range, Alok Mohan, told reporters on Thursday that following credible information, a joint team of the Udupi police and the Anti-naxal Force traced the suspected Naxal, Shekhar and arrested him.

Shekhar, 25, is from Pallipattu in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu. Initial investigations revealed that he headed the Madurai area of the Naxal group. He was produced before the JMFC Court in Kundapur and taken into police custody, he said.

Five gelatin sticks, 10 detonators, wicks, a medical prescription and banned Maoist literature were recovered from him.

Mohan said Shekar had come to Udupi over a month ago to impart field craft training and provide medical assistance to underground members of his organisation.

He also acted as a courier between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu members of his organisation.

Booked under two cases in Tamil Nadu under the Sedition and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Shekhar carried a Rs 1-lakh reward on his head.

A fresh case has been registered agaisnt him at the Shankaranarayan Police Station under various Acts.