A National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) employee from Hyderabad, Nakka Venkat Rao, an explosives expert, was arrested by the Chhattisgarh police for allegedly maintaining links with Maoists.
Sources said that Rao reportedly played a key role in strengthening urban naxalism. It is learnt that he allegedly met the Maoist Central committee members several times during 2016 and 2017. He was said to be instrumental in expanding activities in seven states - Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Rao's links came out through the confessions of a surrendered Maoist.