Maoists attack jeep, loot rifles in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Aug 17 : Maoist rebels Friday attacked a jeep belonging to security personnel in Jharkhand's Bokaro district, looted rifles from the men and then burnt the vehicle, police said.

According to police, activists of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) attacked the security personnel belonging to Central Coalfield Limited (CCL) while they were on patrol duty at the Swang coalmines.

The Maoists were armed with grenades. The security personnel surrendered to the rebels and handed over their rifles to save their lives.

The rebels then burnt the jeep and took away the rifles.

According to sources, non-payment of extortion money was the reason behind the attack. Maoist rebels are reported to be extorting money from the management of coal mining firms.

Maoist rebels are active in 16 of the 22 districts in the state. Around 840 people, including 310 security personnel, have been killed in the last six years in Maoist-related violence.

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