Rayagada: Police have arrested four persons who were allegedly extorting money from several villagers in Rayagada district by posing as Maoists. The accused have been identified as Ramesh Nayak from P. Maligaon under Kashipur block, Balekdas Nayak, Balaram Nayak from Jalkura village and Bapta Nayak.
According to sources, the accused posing as red rebels used to put up Maoist posters in the village and had been extorting money from the villagers. As per allegations, the accused had also allegedly looted Rs 10 lakh from one Shankar Nayak from Kupakhal village.
After getting information about the incident, police arrested the four accused and seized Rs 1.86 lakh, Maoist posters, letters, three bikes, mobile phones, and fake identity proofs from their possession.
Earlier in December, Rayagada Town Police had arrested two persons for allegedly running a fake Maoist organisation and demanding extortion. The accused identified as K Madhav Rao of Kasturinagar and V Jagannath of JK Pur area had demanded Rs 50 lakh from a contractor.