Anantapur, July 11: For the first time, Andhra Pradesh police have invoked the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) against a naxalite of outlawed People's War Group (PWG). Naxal K Shankar alias Ramesh (32), a native of Madhapuram, was yesterday arrested under Pota, district superintendent of police Anjana Sinha told a news agency today. Police recovered two landmines from his possession when he was arrested at Narasimhpalli forest of Kanakapalli Mandal, she said.

Shankar had unleashed terror in the area and was involved in 24 offences including murders, arson and blasting of telephone exchanges in the district, the SP said.

The naxal, who joined the movement as a courier in 1993, was with Chitravati Dalam, which was active in the district, Anjana added. Bureau Report