Maoists torch vehicles in mining belt in Jharkhand's Lohardaga District

Maoists have burnt trucks and heavy vehicles used for mining in Jharkhand thereby hindering the mining work in the area.

The mining, dispatch and transportation of bauxite from the mines in Maoist-hit Kisko Police Station area of Lohardaga district came to a grinding halt after a group of rebels torched more than 20 vehicles.

Pradip Sahu, a truck owner, said there are around 300 labourers employed and their livelihood has been affected by the incident.

"We came to know from the drivers and their assistants that at least 150 insurgents came in and assembled everyone, and then they torched the vehicles," said Sahu.

He said the Maoists have torched bauxite laded trucks before also.

The Maoists attacked the labours working and torched the vehicles, obstructing the excavation work of bauxite.

They burnt at least 20 trucks, two earth movers, a compressor machine and a tractor employed for the mining work. The rebels also left pamphlets behind in which they owned up for the incident.

The arson has also thrown many labourers and drivers out of business as their source of income has been affected.

"They (Maoists) came and threatened us, put aside all the vehicles and then took us to one side and said they won't harm us, and that they have been telling something to the company since long, but the company pays no heed to their words. While they were talking to us, some of them burnt the vehicles," said Rammohan Uraon, a truck driver.