Top Maoist leader Bikram, who was arrested a week ago, had built a small house near Asansol. While interrogating him in the police custody, the Purulia police learnt that Bikram was planning to return to mainstream and live a normal life like a common man.
The house is a small structure located in North Dhadka Mohijuri area on the outskirts of Asansol. It is an isolated structure amidst farmland nearly one km from NH-2. Bikram had stayed in this house before his arrest. Surprisingly, pictures of Hindu deities like Shankar, Shiva and Hanuman hung on the walls of his house.
From the locals, this correspondent learnt that a few months ago, Bikram bought one and a half cottah from one Ram Singh for Rs 78,000. Bikram had introduced himself as Dinesh Kumar. The police learnt that after the dissolution of Ayodhya squad, the Maoist leaders had distributed among themselves `6 lakh which they had collected for their operations. Bikram had received `1.90 lakh as his share. The land was purchased and the house was constructed from this money.
The police also found out that Bikram had stayed at a rented house in Mohisala area of Asansol South a few months ago. Police sources said that Bikram whose real name is Arnab Dam and who is an IIT dropout was even planning to get married and settle down for a domesticated life.
Bikram’s lawyer Sagar Mondal claimed that he had no active links with the Maoists since 2009 but was only a “theoretical leader” who taught the rebels Maoist ideology.
Meanwhile, Bikram was produced in the Purulia court which sent him to judicial custody till July 31. His lawyer claimed that Bikram was unarmed at the time of his arrest. “The seizure list that the police has submitted before court showing arms and ammunitions, including an AK-47 rifle, was false,” Mr Mondal said.
Bikram was arrested by the joint forces from Biramdih railway station in Purulia on Bengal-Jharkhand border on July 17.