Rayagada: In a major breakthrough, police in Rayagada’s Kashipur block have arrested three persons—including a minor—for impersonating Maoists and attempting to extort ₹50 lakh from a local businessman through a series of threatening letters and phone calls.
The incident unfolded in Hatimunda Tikiri village, under the Doraguda police station limits, where businessman Chandrasekhar Bishoi found himself at the center of a chilling extortion bid. The perpetrators—Binod Bag of Kupakhal village, Naresh Nayak of Maliguda, and a juvenile—allegedly posed as Maoists active in the Niyamgiri region, demanding the sum with warnings of severe consequences if their demands weren’t met.
Alarmed and fearing for his safety, Chandrasekhar promptly filed a complaint with Doraguda police. Inspector-in-Charge Kiranbala Samal registered a case and initiated a swift investigation. Using mobile phone tracking technology, the police were able to trace the origin of the threatening calls and zero in on the suspects.
Within days, all three accused were apprehended. Following their arrest, Binod Bag and Naresh Nayak were produced before a local court, while the minor was sent to a juvenile correction home for further legal proceedings.
The arrests have brought a sigh of relief to the local community, which has been living under fear of rising extortion attempts by criminals misusing the name of Maoists. The police suspect the trio may have been acting independently and are continuing their investigation to determine if others were involved or if similar cases are connected.
Police have also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, particularly involving threats or extortion, to help ensure peace and public safety in the region.
