Around a dozen alleged Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres, in civil attire, visited Gurupalli village under Etapalli taluka (revenue sub-division) in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra, daring the local population to burn banners of their party in front of them, late evening on May 19 when Maoists had called a ‘bandh’ (general shutdown strike), reports The Times of India. Earlier, photographs of Gurupalli villagers making a bonfire of Maoist banners were circulated by the Police on social media. Superintendent of Police (SP), Gadchiroli Shailesh Balkawade, however, denied Maoists had threatened any villagers labelling the reported incident as a ‘fake propaganda’ and ‘fake news’ on social media. On the other hand, the incident was confirmed by activist Suresh Balsagre of Janhitvadi Sanghatna from Etapalli. “This threatening of villagers did take place at Gurupalli on bandh day. The next day pamphlets were found at Jeveli, Dumme and adjoining villages which is a tell-tale sign that Maoists were present,” he said. The villagers of Gurupalli were also warned by the Maoists not to go for tendu (leaves of the Diospyros Melonoxylon plant), collection the following day (May 20) until the issue was clear before them. The bandh was called against the April 27 encounter of ‘Divisional committee member (DVCM)’ Ramko Narote and Bhamragarh ‘area committee member, ACM’ Shilpa Dhurva which the Maoists claimed were ‘extra-judicial’ killings.