Ten more arrested in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR - Police arrested 10 more people Monday for attacking a police station and looting weapons three days ago in Orissas Koraput district, taking the total arrests to 30, officials said.

The arrests took place in Narayan Patna town, about 500 km from here. A mob of over 300 people had attacked the police station Friday and looted weapons, Deputy Inspector General of Police Sanjeeb Panda told IANS.

He identified the attackers activists of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS), a Maoist-backed outfit. They were protesting against frequent patrolling in the area by paramilitary forces and police, Panda said.

The police opened fire when the mob tried to loot weapons, killing two tribals. A police inspector was injured in the mob attack.

“More than a thousand armed policemen have been deployed at Narayan Patna,” Panda said.

The CMAS has denied any links with Maoists and said it was fighting for the rights of tribals in the region.