A JCB, tractor and a mixture machine engaged in road construction work were on Wednesday night set on fire allegedly by naxals in Chatrochati's insurgency-hit Bokaro district, police said.
The incident took place at Lodhi village under Chatrochati police station limits where construction of a culvert over a rivulet was underway, ASP R Ramkumar said. The road is being constructed between Lodhi and Baltharwa, around 50 kms from Bokaro police headquarters.
As per preliminary information, around 15-20 armed Naxals stormed the area and after threatening the workers on the construction site, they torched a JCB one tractor and a mixture machine stationed at the construction site, SP Bokaro said. They warned workers against getting involved in construction works and then fled into the forests, he added.
On getting information about the incident, a police team alongwith ASP was rushed to the spot and a combing operation was launched in the area to nab the attackers, the official said.
Naxals have been opposing the construction of this road which is being built in their stronghold, he added. The Maoists did not leave behind any note or made any call to the owner of the JCB machine.
Sources said that the extremists demanded huge amount from a private construction firm has halted the construction work of a bridge at Lodhi village.
Sources informed that the rebels have also threatened the all staffs who were engaged in construction of dire consequences if they dare defy the diktat.
Property worth Rs 1.5 crore including a JCB machine, were damaged in the attack.