Demonetisation to hit Maoist activities in Chhattisgarh: Police

Raipur: Maoist activities are likely to suffer a major setback following the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as the ultras may find it difficult to dispose of their cash, apparently in hundreds of crores, concealed in insurgency-hit regions of Chhattisgarh, police have claimed.

According to sources, Naxals have stashed over Rs 7,000 crore at their dumps in Bastar region. Following the move, the state police have beefed up security at banks, ATMs and other economic establishments in the insurgency-affected pockets, particularly Bastar.

“As per intelligence inputs, the ban on higher currency has frustrated the Naxals and they may target ATMs, banks, post offices and other business establishments in near future in the areas of their presence,” special director general of police (anti-Maoist operations) D.M. Awasthi said.

According to Awasthi, Maoists collect crores of rupees through levy and extortion and keep cash with them or in the dumps in forests for their activities and distribution among their cadres and supporters. With the demonetisation step, Naxalites might make attempts through various ways via their local supporters or villagers to deposit the money or exchange it in banks. Therefore, checks are also being conducted to intercept unaccounted cash in these areas. Earlier, in 2014, police had seized Rs 29 lakh from a Maoist dump in Rajnandgaon district.