Anna Reddy's arrest: A huge success for Orissa Police

The Jajpur police have confirmed that one of the arrested Maoists from a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, was dreaded Maoist leader Anna Reddy alias Bir Narasingha Lu. Anna Reddy was arrested by the police when he visited his "girlfriend" Nanika alias Rani Jamuda (20) who was being treated at Kalinga Hospital for Brain Malaria. Nanika is a native of Ambagadia village in Kalinga Nagar area of Jajpur district.

Besides Anna Reddy, two other Maoists Manjresh Hansda and Ram Chandra Das were also arrested by a special police team from Jajpur. They both belong to Jajpur district. Anna Reddy's arrest is considered a major success for Orissa police, given his track record. He has strong base in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. His girlfriend Nanika is the state women's wing leader of CPI (ML-Janashakti). All the accused have been sent to Choudwar jail.

Reddy had played a significant role in the anti-industry stir in Kalinga Nagar. Several cases including murder, kidnapping, extortion, looting and arson were registered against Anna Reddy in various police stations in Orissa. According to latest reports, Nanika alias Rani Jamuda has been discharged from the hospital and taken to Jajpur under police custody.