Three held for extortion by posing as Maoists

At least four people were arrested Friday in Odisha for extorting money from businessmen by posing as Maoists, police said.Rama Singh Beriha, 48, who was arrested from Muribahal area of Bolangir district is accused of extorting money from local businessmen with his two sons, District Superintendent of Police R. Prakash told IANS. An accomplice was also arrested. Police have seized about Rs.1.5 lakh from Beria, Prakash said. Maoists are active in more than half of state’s 30 districts. Maoist activities in Bolangir district, about 330 km from Bhubaneswar, have come to light in recent years.