In a significant breakthrough, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Monday apprehended a high-profile and long-wanted zonal secretary of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit in Varanasi. The extremist, who had been evading capture for nearly 13 years, is implicated in a series of severe Naxal-related crimes across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Key Leader Captured at Kashi Railway Station
The arrested individual has been identified as Sitaram, also known as Vinay, a resident of Mudiyari village in Ballia district. A substantial reward of Rs 50,000 had been declared for information leading to his arrest. The ATS team successfully tracked and arrested him from the Kashi railway station in Varanasi.
According to officials, Sitaram was a crucial leader and office-bearer within the CPI (Maoist) hierarchy. To avoid detection, he lived under multiple assumed identities for years. Investigations indicate that his journey into extremism began early when he left his home in 1986 and initially joined the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC).
A Deep-Rooted History in Left-Wing Extremism
By 1990, Sitaram had climbed the ranks to become the zonal secretary of the organization's 2nd Central Committee. His involvement places him at the heart of a pivotal moment in India's Naxalite movement. He was present at the historic meeting on September 21, 2004, where the MCC and the People's War Group (PWG) merged to form the unified CPI (Maoist).
Following this merger, Sitaram was given the critical task of expanding the party's mass base and influence. He played an instrumental role in organizing meetings and coordinating with Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in urban and semi-urban areas. These OGWs provided essential support in logistics, shelter, and spreading the banned outfit's ideology.
String of Heinous Crimes and Interstate Warrants
The ATS has linked Sitaram to several brutal crimes. He is accused of playing a central role in a 2012 murder case in Ballia district. Along with associates, he allegedly murdered Phoolmati, the wife of village head Musafir Chauhan, in Atradiya village. The village head himself was also targeted on suspicions of being a police informant but managed to escape. This case led the DIG of Azamgarh range to announce the Rs 50,000 reward on Sitaram's head.
His criminal footprint extends beyond Uttar Pradesh. Sitaram is also wanted in multiple criminal cases in Bihar, including charges related to bank dacoity, murder, and illegal possession of arms. These cases are registered in districts such as Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, and Banka.
Interrogation and Future Implications
Currently, Sitaram is under interrogation by the ATS as per established legal procedures. Officials state that the questioning is yielding fresh leads about the operational networks and future plans of the Maoist organization in the region. This arrest is seen as a major setback for the CPI (Maoist)'s activities in eastern Uttar Pradesh and a testament to the persistent efforts of the state's anti-terror forces.
