A Maoist was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly masterminding the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Laxmanananda Saraswati in Kandhamal district last year, police said. The murder led to widespread communal violence in the state.

Udaya alias P Rama Rao, 'commander' of the Bansadhara division of the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), was arrested with three of his associates from Gudari area of Rayagada district, some 400 km from here, District Superintendent of Police AK Singh said.