Kormo Mahato being produced before the SDJM court. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Jan. 10: The West Bengal Police today arrested one of the three persons who had accompanied the two injured Maoists to the S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

The accused, identified as Kormo Mahato, was produced before the SDJM court here in the city, following which the West Bengal Police took him on a transit remand for further interrogation.

Earlier, a seven-member police team from Bengal, led by deputy superintendent of police R. Sengupta, arrived in the city today and interrogated the two suspected Maoists — Deven Marandi and Manik Soren — who are undergoing treatment at the ENT ward of the S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital.

The police officers from Bengal interrogated the duo for nearly four hours. The duo reportedly sustained multiple injuries due to “mishandling of explosives” in Jhargram area.

It is said that Mahato, who was formally arrested, has criminal antecedents and was involved in a few cases. Elaborate security measures were undertaken at the local SDJM court when Mahato was produced there after a medical test.

Police commissioner B.K. Sharma, who had visited the hospital yesterday, had said that it appears that the injuries sustained by Marandi and Soren could be due to mishandling of explosive devices.

Marandi and Soren had come to the S.C.B. hospital seeking treatment on last Saturday.

Mahato, who had accompanied the injured persons, was detained by the police along with two others after the doctors had informed the police.

The condition of Marandi, who has sustained multiple injuries on his hands and legs, is said to be critical. He would undergo a surgery at the hospital tomorrow.