In a blow to the Naxals, top Maoist leader Kanchan has been arrested along with two others from the outskirts of Kolkata. Kanchan, one of the top Maoist leaders after Kishenji, had planned and implemented the Lalgarh movement in November 2008.

The Maoist Central committee member, who was wanted in several cases of sedition, was arrested by the Special Task force of the police on Friday.

"Yes, we have arrested Kanchan from Kolkata," Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Task Force) Rajiv Kumar told PTI. Asked about the identity of the two others, Kumar said, "We cannot divulge details now."

Kanchan alias Sudip Chongdar was elevated to the post of West Bengal state secretary after Somen alias Himadri Sen Roy was arrested from a railway station in North 24 Parganas in West Bengal in February 2008.

His arrest is considered the most significant after that of Telegu Dipak, a state committee leader, who was arrested from south Kolkata in March this year.

Hailing from Garbeta in West Midnapore, Kanchan had been arrested previously, but was released after spending nearly two years in jail.