A group of 10 Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres armed with weapons set at least nine trucks on fire near bauxite mines at Bagdu under Kiskothana (Police Station) in Lohardaga District on October 16, reports Pragativadi News. The incident occurred when the Maoists enforced Jharkhand bandh (general shutdown strike) on October 16. State Police spokesperson and Additional Director General (ADG) (operations), R.K. Mallick said primary probe suggested it was not bandh-related violence but for ‘levy’ (extortion money).
Meanwhile, some traders in the capital city of Jharkhand have received letters allegedly from Left Wing Extremists (LWEs) asking them to pay INR 1 million each for expansion of the ultra-left organisation in the State, reports Devdiscourse News on October 17. "We have received complaints from some stone-crusher owners that Maoist guerrillas belonging to banned People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI) have sought Rs 10 lakh. We have constituted an inquiry to look into the matter," a senior Police official said. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.