Left leaning poet and writer Varavara Rao was arrested from his residence here yesterday for his alleged links with Maoists. He was arrested from his residence at Gandhi Nagar by a police team from Pune. A senior police official here said the team conducted searches at the residences of Rao's two daughters and a journalist, among others, before arresting him.

"Pune police sought our assistance. We have provided them with local force to assist in conducting searches and making the arrest. They arrested Varavara Rao. He will be produced in a court and taken to Pune on transit warrant," Deputy Commissioner of Police ( Central Zone) Viswa Prasad told PTI. Besides Rao, left wing activist Sudha Bhardwaj was also arrested at Faridabad. Protesting against the arrest, Civil Liberties Committee president GaddamLaxman said they would fight the issue legally.