Rayagada: An Armed Police Reserve (APR) constable working in Rayagada district was arrested and forwarded to court today on charges of extorting money while posing as a naxal. The accused, G. Srikant Kumar was held following a probe conducted by Bissamcuttack police after a written complaint was filed by the owner of a bitumen plant situated in Gotiguda, Saban Kumar Mohanty on September 5.

As per the complaint, an unknown person with his face covered threatened the supervisor of the bitumen plant at gunpoint and demanded money last month. He identified himself as a naxal and threatened the plant supervisor of dire consequences if money is not paid.

Later, on September 4, the owner of the bitumen plant got a call over his mobile phone and money was demanded from him. The caller said if the money is not paid, the supervisor of the plant will be killed and the plant would be set on fire.

Following this, Saban Kumar lodged a complaint at the Bissamcuttack police station the next day against the unknown caller.

During the course of inquiry, the police found out that the unknown caller was none other than G. Srikant, who works as the APR constable posted in District Intelligence and Operation Centre, and posed as a naxal to extort money.

The police have also seized a 9 mm pistol, live billets, three mobile phones and one two wheeler from the possession of the arrested constable.