Muzaffarpur: The district police have arrested four Maoists for extorting traders in different parts of the north Bihar district.

The arrested rebels were identified as Muzaffarpur-Vaishali sub-zonal commander of the Maoists, Anil Ram, Kamlesh, Bhagat, Dilip Ram and Sunil Ram.

Following a spurt in rebel activities, a team of police officers from the special task force (STF), Patna, were camping in Muzaffarpur and Vaishali.

Zonal inspector-general (IG) of police Sunil Kumar said the police officers minutely watched their activities and caught hold of them while they were staying in a rented house in Muzaffarpur. He added they were involved in unlawful activities, changing their names apparently to dodge neighbours and police officers.

The police first arrested Anil Ram, said to be the sub-zonal commander, and later nabbed his three accomplices by conducting raids at possible hideouts.

Anil has divulged vital clues on rebel activities and spelt out 22 names of rebel thinktanks active in north Bihar to spread organisational network.

The police team carried out a raid at Kamlesh Bhagat's house in Baroraj village and recovered a carbine, a rifle, three country-made rifles, arms and ammunition. Police also carried a raid at a rented house of Anil in Bhagwanpur locality and recovered one carbine,five detonators and six cartridges.

The police also seized Rs 8.9 lakh in denomination of Rs 500 notes, receipt of levy collection, seven mobiles and rebel literature.

They have confessed to their involvement in forking out money in the name of levy from bus operators and brick kiln owners. All the arrested rebels have been sent to the terrorist cell at Khudiram Bose Memorial Central Jail.