Kolkata: The Special Task Force (STF) of the police has arrested a top leader of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Thursday, while announcing the arrest, that the state government would not accept the return of violent Maoist activities.

According to the police, Asim Mandal alias Akash, a member of the Central Committee of the CPI (Maoist) and secretary of the West Bengal State Committee-I, was arrested from Lalat in the Patashpur area of Purba Medinipur district. The operation was carried out by the Kolkata Police Special Task Force.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari praised the action of the police force on social media. He said the police had succeeded in tracking and arresting Asim Mandal. The Chief Minister described it as action towards monitoring Maoist activities in the state and maintaining law and order.

According to police sources, Asim Mandal was kept under surveillance after information was received about his presence in Purba Medinipur. Following this, the STF team took action and arrested him. Police are questioning the accused in the case and trying to find out what activities he was involved in in the state and who his contacts were.

Adhikari said that the government would not tolerate the return of ‘Red Terror’ in the state. However, the police investigation into Maoist activities and related matters is continuing, and further action will be taken based on the information that emerges after the arrest.

Asim Mandal’s arrest comes at a time when security agencies are keeping watch on the activities of Maoist networks and people associated with them in various parts of the state. Police are now continuing the investigation based on questioning after the arrest and the available evidence.