Kolkata:
Chattradhar Mahato was arrested on Saturday, September 26, near Lalgarh in West Bengal. Mahato, Leader of People's Committee Against Police Atrocities, had been missing since June.
Mahato stands accused of lending Maoist support to the tribals in the area to help them take control of Lalgarh. Tension had been running high here since November 2008, when a landmine blast seemed to target Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee . The police started raiding homes in the area, tribals alleged their rights had been violated, and asked the police to apologize.
Intellectuals in Kolkata are supporting Mahato, and have accused the police and the government of not having enough evidence against him.