Sambalpur, Feb. 29: Six persons were arrested here today for allegedly extorting money from businessmen in the name of Odisha Liberation Tigers, a self-styled organisation of the rebels.

The gang members Gafur Pathan, Himansu Sandha, Surendra Behera, Basanta Bhoi, Dilbahadur Rai and Brajesh Biswasi Nag, were arrested from Rengali area in the district. Police also seized one mouser, one single shot pistol, seven mobile phones and 10 live ammunition from them.

The gang had formed an organisation named Odisha Liberation Tiger. Their modus operandi was to call businessmen over the telephone and demand money in the name of the organisation. Brajesh Biswasi Nag was making calls on mobile phones of the businessmen and demanding money from them.

He identified himself as the area commander of the Odisha Liberation Tiger, police said. Sambalpur police chief Nikhil Kanodia said the gang members had called a rice mill owner of Rengali, Ashok Kumar Agarwal, on February 12 and demanded Rs 5 lakh in the name of their organisation. Agarwal had informed the police about the phone call. They had also demanded money from Fakir Rohidas and Babulal Agarwal of Rengali block.

“Gafur Pathan is the leader of the gang and a resident of Jharkhand. He was staying at Bhuyanpara near OMP Square in Jharsuguda. The other gang members hail from various parts of Sambalpur, while Brajesh Biswasi Nag belongs to Jharkhand,” said Kanodia.

The police have also seized four bombs from Gafur Pathan’s house at Bhuyanpara in Jharsuguda and the bomb squad has diffused the bombs. During interrogation, the accused have revealed the association of two more persons in the gang. They are identified as Naushad and Idul of Jharkhand. Naushad and Idul had made the four bombs, which were recovered from Pathan’s house. However, police are yet to arrest the duo.

“The activity of the gang came to our notice three months ago. They had pasted some pamphlets and posters in the name of the Odisha Liberation Tiger at the tehsil office and some other places of Rengali,” said Kanodia.

“Yesterday, they assembled at Rengali to make plans. However, acting on a tip-off, the police raided the place. We suspect that there are more people involved in the gang,” he said.