A truck loaded with 75 bags of Kendu leaf was set on fire by the Maoists in Khadupani village of Nuapada district on Friday.
The Maoists also burnt down another 45 bags of Kendu leaf stacked nearby and 1.80 lakh bundles being dried in the open field.
The truck belonged to a business, Ilu Khan of Boden town of the district. “The Maoists took this decision because the people engaged in Kendu leaf binding and packing have not been paid their dues for last three years,” said labourers.
West Bengal-based company Jay Trading has taken the contract of the Kendu leaf procurement in this hilly region.
The driver of the truck said, “The Maoists stated that they were raising this issue for last three years, but the company had not listened.” One Pranaya Sahu, who is looking after the activities of Jay Trading at Boden, said, “The total loss of the company would be more than Rs 10 lakh.”