Regular shutdowns called by Maoists disrupt normalcy in Jharkhand

LOHARDAGA - Frequent shutdowns called by Maoists in Jharkhand have brought normal life of tribals in Lohardaga district to a standstill.

Bauxite mining is the prime source of income for the tribal residents, which gets affected due to regular shutdowns in the region.

Asim Vikrant Minz, Superintendent of Police of Lohardaga said the shutdown calls by Maoists is the easiest way to affect locals.

“Maoists call for shutdown with a motive to create their impact on locals and to increase regular financial collections from them. The fact is that common people are the main sufferers of the shutdown. For example, if the bauxite factory in the region remains closed for a day, it affects bauxite-related firms, organisations, workers and shops,” said Minz.

In 2010, bauxite mines remain paralysed for about 108 days due to shutdowns called by Maoists.

K. K. Dubey, owner of bauxite mines, said apart from the annual loss to his business, the regular closure of work in mines impacts the livelihood of workers and the local economy.

“If you talk about my firms, I have mines and sidings in all the three districts of Lohardaga, Ghumla, Latehar. As all the bauxite mines are in Maoist-hit areas in which daily wage workers and labourers are working , any shutdown calls affects all the three factories and workers, which in turn affect everything,” said Dubey.

Worker said the shutdown not only affects their bread and butter but also hits transport and other essential requirements.

“At a time when the mines are closed, we have to face a lot of difficulty in earning money. The Maoists disturb the functioning of mines and also force us to follow their instructions. It is very difficult for us to travel at that time,” said Ramesh Kumar, worker in a bauxite factory. (ANI)