Naxalites in Jharkhand earn Rs 320 crore levy annually, almost 10 per cent of the state's total revenue in a year. The latest edition of the Indian Defence Yearbook, quoting Union Home Ministry sources, provides a detailed account of the movement in the state, its growth and activities.
The book says the challenge of Left-wing extremism is eating into the nation's development with states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh being the worst affected.
On Jharkhand, the book says: "Naxalites govern the state's mineral-rich countryside, slapping levy on coal firms, petrol pumps, transporters and contractors involved in building national highways, bridges, canals, forest trade and sale of kendu leaves. Running the trade are 50 highly motivated, trained platoons of 35 to 40 men and women. Technical and surveillance support forces back them. This is apart from the people's militia and local guerrilla squads."
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