Maoists torch vehicles in brick kiln

Five tractors parked at a brick kiln were set ablaze by LWEs in Maoist-affected in extremist-hit Palamu district, a police official said today. A group of about 40 armed members of the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) forced their way to the kiln at Kanda village on Monday night and took away several workers as hostages before they torched the tractors, Palamu superintendent of police Chandan Kumar Sinha said. The Maoists, who had their faces covered, fled the scene after the crime. It is suspected that the incident took place to extort money, he said. Sinha and Bishrampur sub-divisional police officer, Surjeet Kumar rushed to the spot with reinforcements on Monday night and launched an investigation.

A massive search operation has been launched to track down the ultras. Brick kiln owner Satya Mahato said the LWEs had demanded levy during Durga puja festival but none of the brick kiln owners in the area had then paid heed to their demand.

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