According to police, Naresh Sharma admitted that the consignment was to be delivered to Sandeepji, a member of the central committee of the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist.

He also revealed that the communication equipment had been sent by Praveen Sharma and the state police passed on the information to Delhi Police, who arrested the trader.

State police officials are concerned by the new strategy of the Maoists. 'Earlier Maoist rebels were only demanding cash and now they are getting arms and communication gadgets in the form of levy. It is a cause for serious concern,' said a senior police official.

'If the communication gadgets had fallen in the hands of the rebels, it could have proved disastrous for the police. Maoist rebels could hear police communications with these hi tech wireless sets and high frequency radios,' he said.