Patna: Over 100 CPI (Communist Party of India-Maoists) activists have been arrested in the State capital to desist them from attending a rally at historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna today (Dec 5, 2004) which the State Government had banned, police sources said.

The rallists were arrested from the meeting venue and other places like lodge and hotels in the State capital during raids last night and this morning, city Superintendent of Police Shalin told sources in Patna.

The Bihar Government had yesterday banned the rally of Krantikari Jansangarsh Ekjutta Samiti (Bihar and Jharkhand), an outfit floated by the banned CPI (Maoist).

The rally was seen here as an attempt by the newly born ultra-left outfit formed after recent merger of Peoples War (PW) and Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) to demonstrate its strength.

The PW and MCC, responsible for several massacres in the State, were banned by the Government several years ago.

Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Neelmani told PTI that the security forces intercepted buses and detained rallists in different parts of the State also. He, however, said the detailed report from other parts of the State was awaited.

Shalin said that security personnel have been deployed in numbers at Gandhi Maidan, the venue of the meeting, to prevent assembling of people.

Police and civil officials have also been deployed at railway stations, bus stands and different entry points of the State capital to prevent the rallists to enter the town for the meeting, the IGP said.