Koraput: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted a raid at Anantapalli village, located at the tri-junction of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh, under Motu police station limits in Malkangiri district.
The raid was carried out at the residence of David Raju, a fish trader by profession. According to officials, Raju was arrested in Jan last year by Chintur police in Andhra Pradesh after explosives materials, including a detonator, were seized from his bike while he was on his way to sell fish in the area.
“Raju was arrested on charges of aiding Maoists by supplying explosive materials. After serving six months in jail, he is currently at home,” a police official said.
The NIA team’s latest raid was aimed at investigating the source of expensive items found at Raju’s house and to determine whether he had any links with Maoist activities.
Apart from Malkangiri, the NIA also conducted raids at two locations in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. Local police sources stated that the Hyderabad-based NIA team is probing Maoist-related activities in the region.
In Sukma, the NIA focused on two businessmen — one engaged in weekly market trade and the other involved in the transport sector. It is alleged that the two were aiding Maoist activities. The police had earlier arrested them on Sept 26 and presented them in court.
On Thursday, the NIA team raided their residences to gather additional evidence and information regarding their suspected Maoist links.