The arrested accused played an active and crucial role in a conspiracy to overthrow the lawfully established Indian government, says ADGP.

The Maharashtra police on Friday said they have evidence that clearly establish links between Maoist organisations and the rights activists arrested on Tuesday.

At a media briefing, Additional Director General (law and order) Parambir Singh displayed letters allegedly exchanged by some of the arrested activists.

“There was a larger conspiracy by Maoist organisations to overthrow the lawfully established Indian government using weapons procured from Russia and China. The arrested accused played an active and crucial role in this conspiracy,” he said.

“The meetings of the arrested accused were held even in Paris and other international organisation, and funds were being organised from there,” he said. The arrested accused "were in touch with separatists and extremists from Manipur and Kashmir. They wanted to emulate stone-pelting activities in Jammu and Kashmir in rest of the county and urban areas."

There was an active propaganda to discredit the investigation. "But we have a very very strong case. "The evidence being disputed has been videographed and recorded. It is with the forensic lab. We have not tampered with it. This is as strong a case as we had against Delhi University professor G N Saibaba who was convicted by the court for Naxal activities," he said.

'Urban Naxals not a new term'

Term 'urban Naxal' was not new and had been used for past 20 years. "I remember using it myself when carrying out operations many years ago," he said, adding, "Urban Naxals are the overground cadre in touch with the central committee of the banned Maoist organisations."