Bhawanipatna: Miscreants torched three vehicles belonging to a local contractor and pasted fake Maoist posters at the site in Kalahandi district, police said on Tuesday.
According to police, the incident occurred on Monday night at the contractor’s warehouse located on the Rupra Road–Chatamahal Road, about 10 km from Narla police station limits. The miscreants set fire to three vehicles parked inside the premises, causing extensive damage.
Posters bearing Maoist symbols were found affixed at the site along with threatening letters demanding ₹35 lakh from the contractor. The letters also warned of serious consequences in case of non-payment and contained threats against a specific individual, police said.
On receiving information, a team from Narla police station rushed to the spot and launched an investigation. However, during preliminary inquiry, police found discrepancies in the language and content of the posters and letters.
Police further clarified that there is no Maoist movement in the Narla area. The Maoist angle, they said, appears to have been fabricated with the intention of creating fear among the public and misleading the police investigation.
Police suspect it to be a handiwork of local miscreants and thorough investigation is underway to identify those involved and ascertain the motive behind the crime.
