Rourkela Police arrested Bishu Singh (58), a resident of Amjharan village under K. Balang police limits, for his alleged involvement in multiple cases of IED explosions and explosives loot.
Singh, reportedly an informer for the Maoists, was produced in court today following his arrest.
According to DIG (Western Range) Brijesh Rai, Singh played a key role in several incidents, including the June 14 IED blast in Saranda forest during a joint operation by CRPF and SOG personnel. The explosion critically injured a CRPF jawan, who later succumbed to his injuries at Apollo Hospital, Rourkela.
Further investigations revealed Singh’s involvement in the August 3 series of landmine blasts along the Odisha-Jharkhand border. These explosions targeted railway infrastructure near Bimalagarh-Karampada route, damaging tracks and killing a railway patrolman, Edua Oram (57), on the spot.
The third blast occurred just 500 meters from a CRPF camp, creating panic in the local area. Security forces intensified search operations following the incident.
Police also linked Singh to the looting of explosives from the Banki stone quarry. During interrogation, Singh admitted to acting as a Maoist informer and facilitating several attacks.
The arrest was announced during a press conference attended by Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani, Railway SP Praful Chandra Badajena, and SDPO Ramchandra Biswal.