Naxals torch conveyor belt at NMDC unit in Dantewada

Naxals stormed the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) facility in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh and set on fire a conveyor belt after triggering a blast in the wee hours today, police said.

The incident has hit the transportation of iron ore in the area, they said.

A large number of ultras stormed the NMDC's Bacheli iron ore mines, under Bacheli police station limits, at around 12.30 a.m and set on fire its conveyor belt after detonating the blast at the site, Kirandul Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) M Z Baig said.

The incident took place in the forested hills between iron ore deposits number 11 and 5.

A section of conveyor belt was damaged in the incident affecting the transportation of iron ore from deposits 11 and 5, Baig said.

Soon after the incident, a police team along with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel rushed to the spot. They made hectic efforts to douse the blaze and the fire was soon brought under control, he said.

"The loss caused due to the fire is yet to be ascertained," the SDOP said, adding that security personnel have launched a search to nab the attackers.

As per the police, the attack was executed by Naxals as a part of their two-day bandh call on May 4 and 5.

The Naxals had earlier given a call for two-day bandh in the region appealing people to protect their 'Jal, Jungle, Zameen' (water, forest and land), according to the wall posters and pamphlets put up in different places of Bastar.