RAIPUR: Maoists set on fire at least 14 vehicles and machines engaged in construction works in insurgency-hit Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh in wee hours on Monday.
A large group of people attired as villagers reached the spot and set the vehicles and machines on fire, which belonged to private companies. The total loss incurred is being assessed.
"More than 20-30 Maoists in their uniforms and most of them dressed as civilians reached Bangali camp in Bhansi around 3 am on Monday at a construction site. They set ablaze the vehicles and machines and fled the spot. When police were informed in the morning, a team reached the spot and doused fire,” Dantewada additional SP RK Burman said.
Maoists ruptured the fuel tanks and poured fuel on vehicles to torch them. One of the vehicles torched was engaged in railway track work.
A search operation was launched in the surrounding region by DRG personnel and district force.
There was no casualty reported in the incident as the workers at the spot, hid inside their temporary sheds, the ASP said adding that the losses would be in crores of rupees.
The vehicles burnt include poclain, earth moving vehicles and heavy trucks that were engaged in road construction work from Dantewada and Bacheli. The workers are terrified and said that they want to go back home and discontinue work.
Naxalites have on many occasions registered their protest against construction and development activities going on the region and often resort to torching vehicles, hang banners, threaten workers and attack contractors.
