Chatra (Jharkhand), May 16 (ANI): Police and the Central Reserve Police Force personnel on Thursday arrested three women Maoists and seized a huge cache of arms from them following an encounter in Jharkhand.

"We have recovered two 315 regular rifles, 38 rounds of live cartridge, some Maoist literature and cash amount of about rupees 10,520. We have arrested three women Maoists in this operation," said Sanjay Sarma, police inspector Hantarganj police station

Police said the three arrested Maoists, Urmila Kumari, Anarwa Kumari and Lalita Kumari have been on their wanted list.

Following a tip-off that Maoists were gathering in a forest area on the Bihar Jharkhand border, police swung into action. The Maoists who had gathered there opened fire on the police and the cops returned the fire.

The Maoists claim that they are fighting for the rights of poor peasants and landless labourers and routinely call strikes, attack government property and target local politicians. (ANI)