Two CRPF men in the six arrested on selling arms to Maos

Police in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have arrested two paramilitary soldiers on suspicion of stealing arms and selling them on to Maoist rebels.

The arrests were made after police raided the camp of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Rampur town.

An inquiry has been ordered into the alleged theft and sale, officials said.


Recently the Maoists launched a fierce attack on a CRPF team operating in central Chhattisgarh state, killing 74 paramilitary soldiers.

The two accused soldiers have made no public comment as yet - they have been suspended while the CRPF holds the inquiry

The arrests were made following an operation based on a tip-off received after the attack, police in Uttar Pradesh said. Police Special Task Force subsequently carried out searches in Moradabad, Rampur and Jhansi towns.

"We have recovered a large number of arms components, mobile phones and 176,000 rupees in cash," senior police officer Brij Lal told reporters.