This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8310043.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Top Indian Maoist couple arrested Top Indian Maoist couple arrested
(about 7 hours later)
Police in the Indian state of Jharkhand say they have arrested an agricultural scientist and his wife who are believed to be senior Maoist leaders.Police in the Indian state of Jharkhand say they have arrested an agricultural scientist and his wife who are believed to be senior Maoist leaders.
Ravi Sharma and his wife B Anuradha were arrested from the forests near Hazaribagh town last week.Ravi Sharma and his wife B Anuradha were arrested from the forests near Hazaribagh town last week.
The couple were involved in many recent acts of violence in Jharkhand and Bihar, police said. They have described the arrests as "a good catch".
A rebel spokesman in Jharkhand described the arrests as "illegal".A rebel spokesman in Jharkhand described the arrests as "illegal".
Meanwhile police in the state of Chhattisgarh say they have arrested nine suspected Maoist rebels. They said four pistols had been recovered.
'Good catch'
Last month, police arrested top Maoist leader Kobad Ghandy from Delhi.Last month, police arrested top Maoist leader Kobad Ghandy from Delhi.
Maoists, also known as Naxalites, are active in more than one-third of India.Maoists, also known as Naxalites, are active in more than one-third of India.
The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of the poor and landless.The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of the poor and landless.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that Maoist insurgents pose the biggest security threat to India.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that Maoist insurgents pose the biggest security threat to India.
'Good catch' The couple held in Jharkhand were involved in many recent acts of violence in that state and in the state of Bihar, police said. They described the arrests as "a good catch".
Ravi Sharma, 50, is a member of the central committee of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), police say.Ravi Sharma, 50, is a member of the central committee of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), police say.
Maoists have a presence in more than 200 districts of India
Mr Sharma, who also goes by the name of Ashok, is in charge of the Bihar-Jharkhand special area committee, they say.Mr Sharma, who also goes by the name of Ashok, is in charge of the Bihar-Jharkhand special area committee, they say.
His wife, B Anuradha, also known as Rajitha, is the head of the women's wing of the party, police say.His wife, B Anuradha, also known as Rajitha, is the head of the women's wing of the party, police say.
The couple come from Andhra Pradesh but have been working in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand.The couple come from Andhra Pradesh but have been working in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand.
"At present, his main work is to give military-related training and hold camps and distribute literature to his party men," The Reuters news agency quoted senior Hazaribagh police officer Pankaj Kamboz as saying."At present, his main work is to give military-related training and hold camps and distribute literature to his party men," The Reuters news agency quoted senior Hazaribagh police officer Pankaj Kamboz as saying.
"Apart from Bihar, we are investigating in West Bengal and Orissa where he is in touch with fellow rebels," he said."Apart from Bihar, we are investigating in West Bengal and Orissa where he is in touch with fellow rebels," he said.
"This was a good catch. He is an intellectual and was the mastermind in many of the cases," Mr Kamboz added."This was a good catch. He is an intellectual and was the mastermind in many of the cases," Mr Kamboz added.
Police say they have also recovered some weapons and ammunition from Mr Sharma's possession.Police say they have also recovered some weapons and ammunition from Mr Sharma's possession.
But Jharkhand rebel leader Koteshwar Rao was strongly critical of the arrests.But Jharkhand rebel leader Koteshwar Rao was strongly critical of the arrests.
"The arrests were made on 10 October. Why didn't the police produce them in court within 24 hours as stipulated by law?" Mr Rao said on the BBC Hindi service."The arrests were made on 10 October. Why didn't the police produce them in court within 24 hours as stipulated by law?" Mr Rao said on the BBC Hindi service.
The couple's arrest comes barely a month after the arrest of Kobad Ghandy, a top Maoist leader who reportedly came from an upper class background before he become one of the country's most wanted rebels.The couple's arrest comes barely a month after the arrest of Kobad Ghandy, a top Maoist leader who reportedly came from an upper class background before he become one of the country's most wanted rebels.
Mr Ghandy - a foreign educated urbanite - served the Maoist cause with "discipline and perseverance" for over 30 years - with over a decade spent underground in various tribal areas, his friends say.Mr Ghandy - a foreign educated urbanite - served the Maoist cause with "discipline and perseverance" for over 30 years - with over a decade spent underground in various tribal areas, his friends say.