Gang of fake Maoists nabbed

JHARSUGUDA: A dacoity gang of 12 members,  impersonating as Maoists, were on Saturday remanded in judicial custody. They were arrested from Kirei in the adjacent Sundargarh district by a team led by Jharsuguda SDPO Phagua Singh. Their arrest came after Jharsuguda SP Dayal Gangwar was tipped off about their presence at Kirei.Investigation revealed that 11 of them belong to Birmitrapur area in Sundargarh district while one Ganesh Gardia from Laikera area used to work as a local contact. They are involved in at least 10 dacoity cases in Jharsuguda, Sundargarh and Deogarh districts.Their modus operandi was to hire a four-wheeler, target the victims, terrorise them by identifying themselves as Maoists and loot them.Police have identified Bijay Behera, Rajesh Behera and Dipak Tirkey as kingpins, and Jaswant Topno, Arun Ghosal, Sakar Ahir, Ajay Lugun, Charan Singh Mahanandia, Chhotu Tirkey and David Kandulna active members and all belong to Birmitrapur.The seizures include two pistols and as many live bullets, sharp weapons, some stolen jewellery, Rs 18,000 in cash and mobile phones.