Maoists create ruckus in Ranchi, sets vehicles on fire

Maoist guerrillas raided a crusher early Thursday and set on fire two vehicles, fired in the air and beat up and injured three employees here, police said.

The unspecified number of members of the banned People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI) raided Hindukush crusher at Manatu village on Ranchi outskirts and set on fire a two-wheeler and a JCB.

They also fired in the air to scare those present and thrashed the staff. Refusal to pay a levy to the leftist guerrillas is said to be the reason for the incident.

An employee, Kaushik, said that a person posing as the customer had delivered a letter on August 10, directing the owner and staff to contact PLFI leaders and warned of dire consequences otherwise.

"We had informed police regarding the letter," Kaushik told the media.

(With inputs from agencies.)