Wanted Maoist couple held

Krishnappa active in Nallamala dalam of Maoists between 1998 and 2002

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh police have arrested a Maoist leader and wife who were allegedly involved in the deadly attack on Chandrababu Naidu's convoy in 2003. He was arrested in Bangalore in the early hours of Wednesday.

Tirupati police arrested Kunti Kotappagiri Krishnappa alias Saketh (39), who was involved in the claymore mine blast at Alipiri in 2003 which hit the car of the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. from Bangalore early on Wednesday morning, police said.

Krishnappa's wife Atmakuri Bhavani alias Girija (35) was also arrested along with him, AP DGP Jasti Venkata Ramudu said. Krishnappa had been in hiding since 1998. He was active in Nallamala dalam of Maoists between 1998 and 2002, while Atmakuri was area committee member in Nellore district and was in hiding since 1999.

Krishnappa provided shelter and provided help to senior Maoists, the DGP said. Krishnappa confessed to involvement in the Alipiri blast, Srisailam Bank dacoity and attack on Sunnipenta police station in 2001 and on Yerragondapalem police station in 2002, police said.

While he was carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head, his wife was carrying a reward of Rs 4 lakh on her head. Both were remanded in judicial custody by the court in Tirupati.