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Prime accused Rupu Singh’s remand ends in Sundargarh blast case; NIA obtains crucial inputs Photograph: (OTV File)
The remand period of Rupu Singh, the prime accused in the Sundargarh K. Balang landmine blast case, ended on Thursday. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had taken him into custody for a three-day remand, during which investigators reportedly uncovered several key details related to the incident.
Singh, who was arrested on September 9, is accused of supplying vital information to Maoists in exchange for money. Sources said his interrogation has shed light on possible local support networks aiding the extremist group, and further investigation is underway to trace others involved.
Case Background
The investigation pertains to an IED blast triggered by Maoists in August between Karampada in Jharkhand and Renjeda in Odisha. The explosion, which took place along the Bimalagarh section, resulted in the death of a railway employee and left another critically injured. The blast also caused extensive damage to a portion of the railway track.
Posters recovered from Banka village under K. Balang police limits indicated that Maoist rebels had looted explosives from nearby mining sites. The materials were attributed to the Eastern Regional Bureau of the CPI (Maoist)’s Chotanagpur Divisional Committee, which had issued statements opposing anti-Maoist operations such as Operation Kagar.
NIA Probe and Findings
Following the incident, the NIA’s Bhubaneswar branch registered a case and initiated an investigation. During the interrogation of Rupu Singh, the agency reportedly obtained valuable intelligence about the landmine blasts and the involvement of civilians who were acting as informants for the Maoists.
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An NIA team has since set up a base in Jharkhand to pursue the case further. The team is currently tracking down a Maoist leader along with seven other individuals believed to be connected to the blast.
Next Steps
According to NIA sources, efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining accused at the earliest. The intelligence gathered during Singh’s interrogation is being viewed as a major breakthrough for the ongoing investigation into Maoist-related activities in Odisha and adjoining states.