Kolkata, March 20 (IANS) A Maoist was arrested Sunday in West Bengal's West Midnapore district, police said.

"Maoist squad member Rajib Mahato was arrested Sunday morning from Ghiratakham village near Jhargram in the district," said West Midnapore Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) Mukesh Kumar.

"Rajib will be presented before a Jhargram court and we will demand his police remand for 14 days," Kumar told IANS over phone.

"After interrogating another Maoist - Debdulal Mahato, we came to know the whereabouts of Rajib and rounded him up. He was a close aide of slain Umakanta Mahato, who was one of the prime accused in the Gyaneshwari Express sabotage, in which 148 people were killed (May 28, 2010)," he said.

Rajib used to operate in Jhargram, Beliabera and Binpur areas of the district. He was wanted to stand trial in several murders, including that of a police constable, police said.

He was involved in a shootout in Kalaboni forested area, where Umakanta was gunned down by the joint forces Aug 27, 2010.

Maoists are active in three western districts of the state - West Mindapore, Purulia and Bankura.