Patna: A top leader of the banned CPI (Maoist) was arrested in an early morning swoop by the police here today.

Rampravesh Baitha, secretary of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand special area committee, was arrested from Golghar under Gandhi maidan police station, official sources said.

The police raided Golghar, the massive granary built during the British period, located a stone's throw from the residence of the district magistrate, following a tip-off that Baitha was holding a meeting with some comrades there.

Baitha was arrested but the others managed to escape, the sources said. No weapons were recovered from Baitha, wanted in 34 cases of naxalite violence, they said.

The arrested Maoist leader hails from Kuria village in East Champaran district. He is being interrogated and is likely to be produced before a magistrate later in the day, the sources said.
Source : PTI