The district administrations in Bastar division are trying to ensure that Maoists do not succeed in getting their old `500 and `1000 currency notes exchanged post the demonetization scenario.
“According to intelligence information, Maoists can pressurize local businessmen, contractors, MGNREGA workers, members of forest committees and villagers, for exchanging their ` 500 and `1000 currency notes,” opined District Collector, Sukma Neeraj Bansod while chairing a meeting of bank officials here.
The bank officials are required to maintain special alertness while dealing with currency exchange, he said.
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jeetendra Shukla who was also present in the meeting said, if anyone is caught with huge cash amount without proper explanation about its source, will be dealt with strictly.
The ASP asked the bank officials of branches located in the interior parts of the Naxal infested districts to closely monitor transactions and cooperate with the administration.
Meanwhile, officials informed that Revenue Department, Janpad Panchayat and Police Department is keeping constant vigil over exchange of currency notes happening in ‘Haat Bazaar’ (weekly market).