Bhubaneswar, April 19: As Bengal’s election cauldron continues to simmer, Red rebels operating in the state appear to be trying to escape stepped-up security by sneaking into bordering areas of Orissa.

Two hardcore Maoists from Jhargram area of West Midnapore district, who had fled their homes following intensified police activity for the elections, were arrested last night from Budhikhamari village under Bangriposi police station in Mayurbhanj district.

The arrest followed a joint raid by the CRPF and the police on the house of one Jitendra Mahanta.

Mahanta had provided shelter to the Maoist duo, identified as Khokan Mahto and Naba Mahto.

This is the third incident in less than a year of Bengal rebels being arrested in Orissa.

While in July last year Manik Mahto, one of the prime accused in the Jnaneswari Express blast case, had been arrested from Mayurbhanj, a Maoist linkman, Karuna Mahto was held in Cuttack in January this year.

Mayurbhanj SP Dayal Gangwar said Khokan and Naba Mahto, who happened to be relatives, were involved in about 30 cases, including murder, abduction and treason in Bengal.

Khokan, who is being described as a prized catch, was also facing charges in connection with the kidnapping and killing of a police constable in the Beliabeda police station area of his home state in March.

The rebels were also involved in two murders in Mayurbhanj district, which is fast emerging as a safe hideout of the Red rebels from Bengal.

Gangwar, however, said he was in touch with his counterparts in Bengal and joint raids against the rebels will be conducted in the bordering villages whenever necessary.

Sources said Khokan, who had strong links in Mayurbhanj, had also formed a club in his native village where he used to motivate youngsters to join the Maoist movement. The Bengal police had raided the club sometime ago and seized landmines and Maoist literature.

Patrolling in the vulnerable pockets of Mayurbhanj, especially the areas bordering Bengal, has been stepped up in the wake of the arrests with a growing apprehension that more rebels might try to enter the district from across the border.

“We have to raise our guard as this is the second instance where hardcore Maoists from Bengal have been arrested in our area,” said a senior police officer.

The last big catch for the Mayurbhanj police was Manik Mahto, who was arrested in July last year with his associate Bijay Mahto from Krushnachandrapur under Betnati police limits.