Bijapur: During the ongoing Naxal eradication campaign in the district, a joint team of the District Force and the Central Reserve Police Force had launched a campaign towards Punnur and Kamarguda of Awapalli police station area. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Punnur forest security forces arrested two Naxalite associates involved in the incident, Mukesh alias Andu, father Madakam Mutta, resident priest Bade Para Punnur and Tripathi Irpa father Ram.
Priest Swami Irpa, a resident of Para, was arrested from Punnur police station, Avapalli in connection with the arson of Royal Travels bus on Dugaiguda Cheramangi Road on December 21, 2023. Propaganda material of banned Naxalite organization Tangiya has been recovered from the possession of the arrested Naxalite associates.