Chhattisgarh: Days after IED blast, Maoists issue threat note to Aamdai mines, warns workers of more explosions

Days ahead of the 23rd anniversary of its armed wing, the Communist Party of India (Maoist), in a press note, has threatened the JNIL mining company and the administration looking after the mining work in the Aamdai mines of Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh.

In a press note released by the Purvi Bastar Division Committee, Maoist spokesperson, Niti while expressing grief on the death of two mines workers killed in the blast triggered by the Ultras on last Friday, November 24. The Maoist in the release, claimed that the explosives near the mines were planted to harm the security forces, police and District Reserve Guards (DRG).

Further, the Ultras alleged that a section of people had also raised their voice against the mining in the Aamdai mines. However, the police and administration, along with the Jha contractor of NICO company, forcibly continued mining there. The Maoists further asserted that the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), armed wing of the extremists, will continue to target the location until the mining is stopped.

The Maoist spokesperson further threatened that the explosions will not be stopped until the mining got stopped. “Police have opened 6 camps near the mines from where around 400-500 vehicles are ferrying, however the workers, who are around 400 in numbers are getting paid a daily allowance of Rs 550, there were appeals to shutdown the mines though it continues even after, read the Maoist press release further.

In the end, the Ultras, while issuing a warning, claimed, ‘that the whole area is covered with 100 of bombs which will keep exploding, and one should avoid working there to protect himself, working in the Aamdai mines is nothing but suicidal.

The Maoists in the release further asserted that the responsibility of any further casualties near the mines will be of Narendra Modi, Bhupesh Baghel and Nico Company Contractor Jha. They also made an appeal to the masses to torch the vehicles of the NICO company. We are giving you information that you should set ablaze vehicles of the mining company and sentence the mines contractor to death in the Janadalat (Kangaroo Court of the Ultras).

It is to be noted that as many as two workers were killed while one received critical injuries in an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast triggered by the Maoist in last week. The explosion took place around 7.30 in the morning when the workers were heading to their workplace. The deceased were later identified as Ritesh Gagda (24) and Sharvan Gagda (21) both residents of Narayanpur district while the injured person was identified as Umesh Rana.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Maoists have been continuously opposing development and mining works in the remote regions under their reach. Earlier, the Ultras carried time and again also carried similar explosions in other mines located in Maoist-affected regions of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. It is to be noted that Jayaswal Neco Industries Limited (JNIL) has been allotted the iron ore mine in Amdai Ghati. The mines provide employment to hundreds of people in the remote tribal-dominated region of insurgency-hit Narayanpur.