Karnataka 'fake Maoist' held after 150-strong police combing operation

A man accused of posing as a Maoist and setting off a crude bomb in Karnataka was arrested on Tuesday night, ending a manhunt that stretched nearly a month, police said.

Kanakalabande Venkatesh had been missing since the explosion in August at a farmer's pump set in Kanakalabande village, which triggered panic in the area. He is believed to have taken shelter in the Kadamalakunte Hills while evading the authorities.

Before his disappearance, Venkatesh's wife, Savitramma, their two children and two other people were arrested in connection with the blast.

According to the police, Venkatesh later pasted a threatening letter on the gate of a farm belonging to a man named Bhushappa, signing it in the name of a Maoist organisation. In the letter, he allegedly demanded Rs 5 lakh and warned the farm owner of consequences. A case was subsequently registered against him.

For roughly 20 days, the police carried out an intensive search. Acting on information that Venkatesh was hiding in the hills near Pavagada, they launched a large combing operation in which more than 150 personnel took part. He was traced and taken into custody on Tuesday night.