Maoists burn four trucks in Jharkhand

CHATRA - Suspected Maoists burnt four trucks at a coal mine field in Piparwar in Jharkhand’s Chatra District on Tuesday.

Around 25 armed cadres of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) stormed the coal-mining complex of Central Coal Field Limited in Piparwar and set afire four trucks. “The cadres of PLFI came in two cars and set afire four vehicles,” said S N Yadav, assistant sub-inspector of police, Kheliare police station.

A scuffle between the PLFI cadres and truck drivers also followed but no one was seriously injured.

“Two people came from the front and another two climbed the vehicle from both the sides and aimed guns on us. They told us to stop the truck. We resisted but they did not listen. When we asked why are you burning the truck, they hit us,” said Satinder Ram, a truck driver.

A majority of Maoist rebels have ignored repeated calls from the government to renounce violence and negotiate.

Instead, they have stepped up their attacks in recent months, prompting the government to go after them in a concerted strike.

The Maoist rebels had on February 22 offered a conditional 72-day ceasefire through the media, and said they are willing to talk to the government if it aborts Operation Green Hunt. Many believe the truce offer is a ruse to regroup.

The Maoists contend they are fighting for the rights of the poor, marginal farmers and the landless labourers. (ANI)